The University of Mississippi Athletics
Soccer Set To Host No. 20 Auburn, Alabama
9/28/2011 | Soccer
Sept. 28, 2011
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss soccer team (4-5-1, 0-2 SEC) will host No. 20 Auburn Friday night and Alabama Sunday in a pair of pivotal SEC matches for the Rebels.
A live stream of Friday night's game will be available through RebelVision on OleMissSports.com. Both Friday and Sunday's will have a free, live in-game blog through Cover It Live. Visit OleMissSports.com on gameday for more information about how to follow the blog.
After six of our last seven games on the road, we are very happy to be home for our SEC opener," head coach Matt Mott said. "We are hoping for great crowds as we play two high quality opponents. Auburn is nationally-ranked and firing on all cylinders. We will need to play as well as we can to get a result on Friday. Sunday will be very difficult as Alabama had a great non-conference our games against them are always close and competitive, so I expect the same on Sunday."
OLE MISS-N0. 20 AUBURN
The all-time series between the two schools is tied at 9-9-1. Ole Miss posted a 2-1 win last season at No. 25 Auburn.
The Tigers are 8-1-1 this year and 2-0 in the SEC. The team is led by Katy Frierson who has recorded 14 points (3 goals and 8 assists). Ana Cate leads the team in goals scored with five. As a team, Auburn has scored 26 goals while allowing 11.
Goalkeeper Chandler Hillen has started eight games. She has allowed eight goals, has a 1.07 GAA and has made 24 saves.
OLE MISS-ALABAMA
Ole Miss leads the all-time series, 10-7. Alabama won the last meeting between the two schools, 2-0, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
This year the Crimson Tide is 6-3-1 overall and 1-1 in the SEC. Alabama is led by Kendall Khanna and Lauren Lee Smith who have each recorded seven point this season.
Goalkeeper Justine Bernier has played in nine games. She has allowed six goals, has a 0.69 GAA, has made 51 saves and has recorded four shutouts.
AUBURN CONNECTIONS
Ole Miss head coach Matt Mott and assistant coach Becky Fletcher both spent time as assistant coaches on Auburn's staff. Senior midfielder Jenna Strother is from Auburn, Ala.
PROTECTING HOME FIELD
With its 6-1 win over The Citadel on September 12, the Rebels remain undefeated at home this year with a 3-0 record. During that span, the team has recorded 16 goals while allowing just one.
REID, STROTHER, CUNNINGHAM RECORD FIRST CAREER GOALS
Three Ole Miss players have scored their first career goal this season. Most recently, sophomore defender Maddie Cunningham scored for Ole Miss at Arkansas. Sophomore transfer Emily Reid and senior Jenna Strother each recorded their first career goal against The Citadel on September 12. Reid scored twice while Strother scored once.
SOUZA ON PACE TO ENTER SINGLE-SEASON RECORD BOOK
Rafaelle Souza is on pace to break into Ole Miss' season record book for points in a season. Through 10 games she has recorded 19 points and needs just seven more point to tie for 10th on the Rebels' single-season list.
WEEKEND PROMOTIONS
The Rebels will have several soccer promotions this weekend. Friday's game is Youth Day and all youth soccer players who wear their jersey's will be able to join the team on the field for the national anthem and teams from OPC will play an exhibition game at the half. In addition, Ole Miss will be collecting canned goods/money donations for the Together We Can Food Drive. Student-athletes will be collecting the donations from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the main gate.
Sunday is the team's second annual "Pet a Puppy" campaign. The Rebels are teaming with the Oxford Lafayette Humane Society and are asking fans for donations such as toys, puppy collars, food and fleece blankets as donations. In addition, adoptable animals from the shelter will be at the game. Halftime performance by the frisbee dogs from K9 Air Featuring the Amazing Flying Nash and his sidekick Airy Kairy. All fans that bring a donation to the game will receive a gift from Ole Miss Soccer.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
The Rebels will travel to No. 15 Tennessee and Georgia on Friday, October 7 and Sunday, October 9 at 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. respectively.
