JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State Athletics Director Jim Fuller and head soccer coach Julie Davis announced Thursday afternoon that Saturday’s exhibition match against the Auburn Tigers, originally scheduled for 7 p.m. at the JSU Soccer Field, will now be played in Auburn.

JSU was forced to make the move when the City of Jacksonville imposed a city-wide watering restriction that has prevented the University from watering any of its athletic playing surfaces since last week. The JSU soccer team hasn’t practiced on its own field since Monday, when it moved practice to Paul Snow Stadium.

The JSU administration contacted Auburn administrators Thursday about moving the game in an effort to preserve the Gamecock’s field for the regular season. Both schools agreed to the move late Thursday afternoon. The game will still begin at 7 p.m.

"We are disappointed to have to move the game away from our home field," Davis said. "Our players, coaches and fans were looking forward to playing a team of Auburn's caliber at home."

Saturday's match was scheduled as a return trip by Auburn after JSU traveled to the Plains last season.

Presently, it is uncertain when JSU will be allowed back onto its game field for practice due to the water restrictions. Some authorities are predicting as much as a 14 day restriction.