MILWAUKEE, Wis. — A week after firing off 33 shots in the season opener, Auburn was held to just five shots and could not maintain a consistent presence in the attacking third as it fell at No. 23 Marquette, 3-0, on Friday evening at the MKE Cup. The loss evens Auburn’s record at 1-1-0, while Marquette is now 2-0-1.

“We started out slow. We played a poor first half, gave them a goal following a bad foul and poor defending on our part,” Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa said. “Marquette played a harder first half. Second half I thought we played better than Marquette but we got unlucky on a controversial goal and we just didn’t create enough opportunities.

“Bottom line we have to be better, we just weren’t good enough tonight.”

Marquette controlled both the pace of play and possession for the majority of the 90 minutes, registering 14 shots, eight of which were on goal, while Marquette’s goalkeeper Natalie Kulla only needed to make four saves, with all but one of Auburn’s chances coming from long range.

With Marquette dominating possession and keeping play in the Auburn defensive third, Rachael Sloan made Auburn pay for its lack of offense in the 14th minute when she fired a shot from deep and wide inside the 18 that Auburn goalkeeper Amy Howard could not get a mitt on before it found the side netting. Sloan possessed the ball deep inside the box after Julia Victor found her with a pass, snapping Auburn’s scoreless streak of 103:31 to start the season.

The game remained a one score contest for the next 59 minutes before Maegan Kelly’s strike from 20 yards out struck the underside of the crossbar and ricocheted down, giving Marquette a 2-0 lead in the 73rd minute.

Marquette expanded its lead to 3-0 just one minute later when Lisa Philbin finished off a Lauren Acree cross with a one-touch at the post.
Auburn closes out its two-game stay in Milwaukee on Sunday at 11 a.m. when it faces co-host UW-Milwaukee at Marquette’s Valley Fields.

Golf practice facility renovations under way
Renovations are under way on Auburn golf’s short game practice facility at the Jack Key Golf Center with the complete leveling and reconfiguration of the chipping and putting surfaces.

The renovation, designed by former Auburn golfer Bill Bergin, will rearrange the two greens currently on site, as well as create an additional three USGA Spec greens for short game work. Additional bunkers, a water hazard and improved drainage systems will also be added.

“Paired with the Jack Key Golf Center, the renovation of our existing practice area will make it one of the best in the nation,” said Auburn head men’s golf coach Nick Clinard. “This facility will significantly improve our ability to recruit the top players in the country, as well enhance player development.

“The new greens will incorporate a lot of slope and movement to simulate difficult greens in other areas of the nation. It’s going to be quite a facility when it’s all said and done.”

The practice area, located at the southeastern end of the Auburn University Club driving range, will be completely leveled and recontoured. New tee boxes will be built for the range while extending those already in place.

“The Jack Key Golf Center is incredible and has added so much to our program,” said Auburn head women’s golf coach Kim Evans. “To be able to add some features like a putting and chipping greens that create the likeness of a real course will make it second to none. I am very happy and excited about the vision of our administration and those that have helped us realize this dream.”

The Jack Key Golf Center and practice area are attached to the Auburn University Club at Yarbrough Farms, also designed by Bergin. As Auburn’s only four-time All-SEC selection, Bergin was a member of the Tigers’ 1981 SEC Men’s Golf Championship team.

“The improvements to the short game practice area will help our team prepare for events and progress as players,” said Auburn junior and 2010 All-SEC selection Kyle Kopsick. “The short game is the part of the game you need to practice the most, so this will be a tremendous boost to the Auburn golf programs.

“The layout we have now is more tuned to longer approach shots. They will be adding greens and contouring everything to make it more tuned to chipping and putting.”

Bergin began his design career in 1990 under legendary designer Bob Cupp, winner of the 1992 Golf World Architect-of-the-Year award.