AUBURN, Ala. - It seemed as if the ball flew in slow motion until it squeaked in right over Syracuse keeper, Lysianne Proulx’s, hands.
Senior midfielder Bri Folds impressive deep shot earned her a third consecutive goal in three games and sealed the deal on a 2-0 second half win for Auburn.
Folds earned First Team All-SEC, United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Southeast Region and Third Team All-American for the previous season.
Following back-to-back road games, Folds and the Tigers played their first season home game Thursday night against a 2-1-0 Syracuse team.
Simplicity was key for Folds as she delivered another notable performance in her last first home game.
“I was just really excited to play on our home turf. We haven’t played here in two weeks, it was huge making a statement on our home field,” said Folds.
A statement is no exaggeration for her performance against the Orange.
An uncontrolled, scoreless first half wasn’t looking like the 3-0 performance from Folds and the Tigers in the preseason.
Auburn was unable to connect on nine of their attempted shots, with zero shots from Folds.
“We weren’t playing the way we normally play in the first half; we were missing simple passes,” said Auburn coach Karen Hoppa. “I challenged them for more, everyone can give more, everyone can be better. That was the challenge at half time and they stepped up to that challenge.”
More was just what Coach Hoppa got from her team in the second half.
Folds was able to break the silence and assist sophomore Haley Whitaker for the goal in the 52nd minute. “I told them we just have to have confidence to play the simple pass,” said Coach Hoppa, and that’s exactly what Fold’s executed in the second half.
This simple pass assist gave Whitaker her first goal of the season.
“We need to not over complicate the game and correct our passes,” said Coach Hoppa, “and sure enough one of our best series of passes creates that first goal with Haley Whittaker.”
After this goal, Folds and the Tigers were able to simplify their game and find their rhythm.
Later in the second half, Folds took a shot from deep field near the top of the box that sneaked its way in above Syracuse keeper Proulx’s hands. “I had a feeling it was going in,” Folds said about scoring her third consecutive goal in three games.
All three of Folds consecutive goals came in the second half of each of the three games. “When we give her the ball, good things happen,” Coach Hoppa said.
The second half is where Folds seems to find her stride and gauge the opponent.
“In the second half we just wanted to play more simple and connect the passes and it would end up in a goal,” said Folds.
“I told them we just have to have confidence to play the simple pass,” said Coach Hoppa.
Folds did just that as her simple pass assist and direct deep shot on the goal led the Tigers to their 2-0 victory.
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