BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford women's soccer team will head to The Plains for the first round of the NCAA Tournament as the Bulldogs are set to compete against No. 17 Auburn on Friday, Nov. 12 at the Auburn Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. central time with the match available for viewers on the ESPN+.  
 
"It's a game that we are obviously very familiar with. Karen and I have known each other forever, and she does a fantastic job down there on the plains," said Head Coach Todd Yelton. "If you look at who we have played, such as Auburn, Alabama, Texas, and Ole Miss, those games have prepared us for this moment."
 
"We have a great group of kids, and we really care about one another. We say before every game, it's just another chance to prove how much we love each other. I think this group has really embodied that and is ready for this big challenge that we have in playing Auburn."
 
This marks Samford's sixth appearance in the NCAA Tournament with the Bulldog's last trip to the big dance taking place in 2019. Samford faced SEC opponent, South Carolina, with the Bulldogs ultimately falling to the Gamecocks by a 3-0 final decision at Eugene E. Stone III Stadium. Samford has advanced once in its five appearances after defeating fellow SEC opponent, Vanderbilt, in penalty kicks (5-4) back in 2005. However, the Bulldog's time came to a close in the second round against Pepperdine with the Waves claiming a 2-0 victory.
 
This will be a rematch between Auburn and Samford with both teams meeting earlier this season in August. Despite the Bulldogs taking a 1-0 lead at the half, the Tigers battle back in the second period, finding goals from Alyssa Malonson and Anna Haddock for a 2-1 win over Samford at Shauna Yelton Field.
 
NOTES
 
Opponent: vs. #17 Auburn (12-6-1, 5-4-1 SEC)
Date: Friday, Nov. 12
Location: Auburn, Ala.
Site: Auburn Soccer Complex
Time: 5 PM CT
 
SERIES HISTORY

• Samford and Auburn have competed a total of 16 times against each other.
• The Tigers hold a 12-2-2 series advantage over the Bulldogs.
• Earlier this season, Auburn narrowly beat Samford by a 2-1 final decision.

 
BULLDOGS TO WATCH

• Super senior Alyssa Frazier is a top contender for the Bulldogs, recording a team-high 10 assists to go along with seven goals for 27 points. The midfielder has started in all 20 games for Samford, earning herself 1,278 minutes on the pitch. Frazier was also named to First Team All-Conference for the third time in her career, while being selected for the SoCon Pinnacle Award this past week.  
• Junior Mary Raymond scored the lone goal against the Auburn Tigers to open up her 2021-22 season. The midfielder from the Sunshine State now holds a team-high eight goals and four assist this year. Raymond was named to Second Team All-Conference along with goalkeeper Morgan McAslan and defender Lindsay Origliasso.
• Junior Taylor Yount has earned 19 points for the Bulldogs this season with six goals, two of which were game-winners, and seven assists. The striker earned a spot on First Team All-Conference for her performance this year, making it her fourth Southern Conference honor. Yount now holds 20 career goals and 10 assists in her time at Samford.

 
AUBURN QUICK LOOKS

• Auburn has competed in 19 games this year with 12 resulting in victories for the Tigers. Auburn has fired off a total of 291 shots with 116 being on frame for 37 goals against its opponents. The Tigers have also tabbed 44 assists on their season while collection 100 corner kick and 153 fouls.
• Auburn is led offensively by sophomore Anna Haddock with the midfielder starting in all 19 games for a team-high 26 points with nine goals and eight assists on the season. Redshirt sophomore Marissa Arias and junior Sydney Richards also play a key role for the Tiger with both players registering seven goals, while Arias has tallied three assists and Richards with one.
• Sophomore Maddie Prohaska has competed between the posts for Auburn in every match this year for a total of 1,742 minutes on the pitch. The native of West Chester, Ohio has allowed 22 goals in goal, while logging 54 saves after 200 shots faced.

SELECTION SHOW


 
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford women's soccer, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordSports (Facebook), @SamfordSoccer (Twitter), and @SamfordSoccer (Instagram).