Georgia Southern women's soccer took to the field for the first time in the Fall of 2025 with an exhibition contest at Auburn. The two teams got through 74 minutes of action before rains halted the contest with Auburn holding a 2-1 advantage.
Each team tallied a goal in the first 30-minute period. Georgia Southern junior Caitlin Conroy got free on the back post and headed in a corner kick from senior Erin Wilkins the 21st minute to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. Auburn would tie the match with just a little more than a minute left in the period as Olivia Woodson tallied a goal at the 28:57 mark.
In the second 30-minute period, Auburn's Maddie Stoddard would notch a goal in the 46th minute to put the Tigers up by one.
The two teams would get through 14 minutes and five seconds of the third scheduled 30-minute period when heavy rains halted play, and the final period could not be completed.
Auburn held a 10-8 edge in shots in the match, but Georgia Southern had a 5-2 edge in corner kicks. Each team was whistled for six fouls and Auburn was offsides three times on the night.
"I thought our players did well in the first period, playing confidently and cohesively," Georgia Southern head women's soccer coach Chris Adams said. "They did a good job of moving the ball and keeping it away from pressure. We played in Auburn's end at times and created dangerous opportunities, one of which was a corner kick that I was pleased we were able to execute and take the lead, forcing Auburn to chase the game while at home.
"In the second period, Auburn got the better of us and stretched us, which is good because now we've identified the things we need to work on this week ahead of our next contest," Adams said. "For us to be successful, we need our substitutes to be ready to come on and make a positive impact."
The Eagles will play one more exhibition contest, visiting Wofford on Thursday, August 7 at 6 p.m. in Spartanburg, S.C. Georgia Southern opens up the regular season a week later, hosting Samford on Thursday, August 14 at 6 p.m. at Bo Pitts Field.