TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Although this game may not hold the same intensity as it does for football, there is still some bad blood between these two schools no matter the sport. There is no team in the country that would rather end Alabama’s win streak than the Auburn Tigers.
Auburn played this game with more intensity than they had all season, with a spot in the SEC tournament on the line. And for 86 minutes, it looked like they were going to put an abrupt end to the Tide’s win streak.
The Crimson Tide struggled in this one, maybe more they have in a match all season. Auburn’s back line held strong against Alabama, forcing five offsides calls against the Tide. The Tigers crowded Alabama any time they advanced into the attacking third, preventing them from setting up easy shots and forcing bad ones.
Sasha Pickard and the Tide defense held strong all throughout this one, willing the tide through the first 86 minutes until the offense could finally get on the board. Alabama keeper McKinley Crone had yet another shutout performance with three saves on all three of Auburn’s shots on goal.
After a seemingly hopeless game, the Tide offense finally got on the board in the 86th minute. Riley Tanner headed in a beautiful cross from Kat Rogers. The game-winning goal from Tanner extends the Tide win streak to 13 heading into postseason play.
The Crimson Tide finish the regular season with an impressive 17-1-1 record and a 10-0 record in SEC play.
Alabama has a big week ahead of them, as they head to Pensacola, Florida for the 2022 SEC Tournament. The Tide will be the number one seed in the tournament, playing Tuesday night against the winner of Mississippi State and Texas A&M.
The Crimson Tide will look to carry momentum from their best season in program history to the postseason, with hopes of bringing home a SEC championship and even more, a national championship.
