Texas A&M soccer hosts No. 6 Auburn before showdown in Austin

After a 2-1 loss to Oklahoma, Texas A&M (6-4, 1-1) continues play at Ellis Field against No. 6 Auburn (9-0-1, 1-0-1) on Thursday. 

Facing their highest-ranked opponent of the season, kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT.

As the Aggies revamp for Week 2 of Southeastern Conference play, overcoming recurring mistakes is a top priority.

“[It was a] disappointing result for us on Sunday,” head coach G Guerrieri said. “A lot of good performances set up a great goal by Mia Pante, two disappointing goals against us … because we created a lot of good chances. We just didn't finish our chances and missed some easy opportunities, hit the goalkeeper a few too many times and missed the goal.”

The Tigers head to Aggieland with nine shutout wins, courtesy of graduate goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska, a fifth-year starter for Auburn.

Their one tie — a 2-2 home match against Vanderbuilt — is the Tigers’ only let-up thus far.

Also starting her fifth season as a starter is graduate midfielder Anna Haddock. In her time at Auburn, Haddock has been named First Team All-SEC (2021) and Second Team All-SEC (2023).

According to Guerrieri, she was expected to go pro this season.

“It’s the magic of what COVID-19 can do for college athletes, being able to get another season,” Guerrieri said. “(Haddock’s) back and pulling the strings.”

Yet again, the Aggies will need to focus on finishing — especially in the last 10 yards at goal — and accuracy to face the Tigers’ strong backline and net.

“To be able to beat Prohaska, you have to be able to take advantage of the chances that you get,” Guerrieri said. “You’re not going to get a lot of time because they're so athletic on the back line.

“The goals that we've scored on her in the past have usually come in quick, bang-bang fashion.”

Both teams enter with high shooting averages and low goal percentages.

A&M has averaged 17.7 shots per game, with 73 of their 177 shots being on-target. In contrast, the Tigers, who have averaged 18.3 shots per game, have placed 86 of their 183 goals on target.

To maximize opportunities, Guerrieri & Co. need to be more intentional in their shots, not buffering or shooting off target.

“Right now our strategy for beating any goalkeeper is just getting our shots on frame,” Guerrieri said. “We've created a lot of good goal-scoring chances and that's our thing right now, is looking for people to step up to score. We've got great goal scorers on our roster, unfortunately, we had four ACLs in the spring and that's a big issue for us right now.”

After Auburn, the Aggies will face Texas (7-1-2, 0-1-1) on Sunday in the first SEC installment of the Lone Star Showdown.