Auburn Soccer Falls To Mexican National Team In Stoppage Time, Ties UCF - AuburnTigers.com

Auburn Soccer Falls To Mexican National Team In Stoppage Time, Ties UCF Auburn held a 2-0 lead on Mexico in the first half

April 12, 2010

AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn soccer team held a two goal lead on the Mexican National Team before falling, 3-2, in stoppage time, and followed that up with a scoreless tie against UCF as the program gets closer to the end of its spring exhibition season.

Playing the Mexican National Team in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, the team held a great rhythm and possession. Addie Ragsdale put the finishing touches on Auburn's first goal as Gabi Rivera shot one off the cross bar with the rebound resulting in a throw in. Ashley Marks threw the ball in to Julie King, who sent a cross to the back post, where Ragsdale headed it in at the 20:25 mark.

Less than three minutes later Auburn went up 2-0 as Julie King found the back of the net. Heather Havron served in a corner kick to the center of the box. Monica Afanador jumped to challenge the ball as the Mexican goal keeper got a hand on it. King continued her run in the box, getting herself to within 12 yards with the ball at her feet before sending it past a flying keeper for the two-goal cushion.

The Mexican team answered just over four minutes later (27:57) when they fired one in from 20 yards out that Auburn goalkeeper Amy Howard was able to get a hand on but could not stop.

Addie Ragsdale

The score remained that way until the 78th minute when the Mexican team tied it up following a free kick on the left flank outside the box. They played the ball short to an unmarked player inside the 18 and she turned and hit a driven ball to the back post to tie it at 2-2.

Auburn would score a goal with one minute remaining but the goal was negated by an offsides call. Mexico quickly served the ball on the free kick forward to beat the Auburn back line. The shot hit off the post back into the box to a Mexico player four yards out, who put the ball in an empty net in stoppage time.

Sammy Towne saw her first action of the spring against the Mexican National Team while Auburn signees Bianca Sierra and Ashley Kotero both started for Mexico.

Following the match with Mexico, Auburn stayed in Orlando and played to a draw with Auburn Head Coach Karen Hoppa's alma mater, Central Florida, on Saturday. Though neither team could find the back of the net, Howard played well between the pipes for Auburn.

Auburn, which has gone 3-2-1 this spring season, will play its final spring exhibition match on Saturday in Orange Beach when it faces SEC rival LSU. The match is scheduled to start at 7pm CT.