Georgia Falls to Auburn in Double Overtime

Sunday, November 15

Orange Beach, AL

6:00 PM

University of Georgia

2-4-2, 2-4-2

Auburn

4-3-2, 4-3-2

Georgia

Auburn

November 15, 2020 | Soccer

Box Score

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. --- The University of Georgia soccer team showed its depth and battled hard in a double overtime loss to the Auburn Tigers in the second round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament on Sunday night at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.

Georgia used several pairs of fresh legs to begin the match. Freshmen Tori Penn and Megan O'Neal made their starting lineup debuts, while seniors Liz Brucia and Katie Higgins made their first starts with season.

After falling behind early the Bulldogs came back to tie the game and held that score into extra minutes. Auburn scored 14 seconds into the second overtime period, ultimately ending the Bulldogs season.

"I am incredibly proud of this team," Georgia head coach Billy Lesesne said. "It was a very challenging match for us. Both teams competed throughout and that's what you expect with this high caliber game. Give Auburn credit for the goal they created in overtime. I am so proud of the fight in our team. They really battled and I'm proud of their efforts. I can't say a bad word about how they prepared for the week and the way they played the match today. I am proud of the way they represented the University of Georgia."

Georgia was able to control the ball to start the game, but in the ninth minute and on the first shot of the match Auburn took the lead.

That put the Georgia defense on its heels but the Bulldogs were able to press and gain their footing to put themselves back in the game.

Junior Abby Boyan put Georgia on the board in the 25^th minute with assists from sophomore Mallie McKenzie and senior Mollie Belisle. McKenzie passed the ball to Belisle in the box, who then touched it out to Boyan for the finish.

Auburn continued to apply pressure but the Bulldogs did not waiver. Brucia stayed poised in goal and made key, impressive saves. Freshman Madison Haugen also had a notable stop when she fired the ball off the line to keep the score even.

Regulation ended with the score still tied. The Bulldogs controlled the ball and were able to come out firing in the first overtime period, taking three promising shots although they were unable to capitalize.

The Tigers took advantage right away in the second overtime period and won the game 14 seconds in.

The Bulldogs took 11 shots and made four saves in the loss.

This ends the fall season for Georgia as the team now awaits announcement of a spring 2021 season.

HOW TO FOLLOW GEORGIA SOCCER: For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.