Abby Lutzenkircken changes soccer number to honor deceased brother

Alabama women's soccer player Abby Lutzenkirchen will change her number this season to honor her brother, Philip, a former Auburn football player who was killed in a car accident in June.

Alabama women's soccer player Abby Lutzenkirchen will change her number this season to honor her brother, Philip, a former Auburn football player who was killed in a car accident in June.

Abby, a junior starting defender, will switch to No. 43 after wearing No. 33 the last two seasons.

In May, Philip detailed his close relationship with Abby in a first-person essay on SB Nation titled "Auburn football player, Bama soccer player share ultimate sibling rivalry"

Abby wrote a letter to fans and friends after Philip's death.

Philip played at Auburn from 2009-12.

Number change alert: We've learned that Abby Lutzenkirchen will switch numbers from 33 to 43, in memory of her brother, Philip. #Lutz43 #RTR

— Alabama Soccer (@AlabamaSoccer) August 16, 2014

- Chris Johnson