Georgia Suffers First Loss to Auburn

Sunday, October 18

Athens, Ga.

6:00 p.m.

University of Georgia

2-1-2, 1-1-1

Auburn

2-0-1, 1-0-0

Auburn

Georgia

October 18, 2020 | Soccer

Box Score

ATHENS, Ga. --- After a hard-fought battle, the No. 12 University of Georgia soccer team fell 1-0 against the Auburn Tigers at the Turner Soccer Complex on Sunday night.

The Bulldogs notched 21 shots and two corner kicks throughout 90 minutes of play. The lone goal for the Tigers came in the 57^th minute off a penalty kick.

"It was an even game, then the red card gave us an advantage," Georgia head coach Billy Lesesne said. "With more numbers up, we would have more chances, but we gave up a foul in a bad place on the field. It awarded them the penalty kick, which they finished. From that point it was up to us to have quality in the final third and complete chances and finish. We're disappointed in ourselves for not putting chances away when we had the numerical advantage."

Georgia (2-1-2) played an even-matched first half against Auburn, tracking five shots in the first half with one on net from senior Katie Ralys. It was not until the second half that the Bulldogs took full control of the game.

Ten minutes into the second half, Auburn's goalkeeper got caught coming out and fouled senior Mollie Belisle with a dive to her legs. Receiving a red card, the Bulldogs were gifted a free kick but were unable to finish.

Heartbreak would come five minutes later when Auburn put away a penalty kick after a foul was committed while defending in the box.

Although the score was in favor of the Tigers, that would not stop the Bulldogs just yet. Georgia would spark a fire, igniting them to create multiple chances and take 16 shots in the second half alone. However, it wouldn't be enough as the Bulldogs were unable to finish their opportunities.

The Bulldogs will hit the road next weekend as they travel to Nashville, Tenn., to face the Vanderbilt Commodores at 5:00p.m. ET.