April 01, 2006
The defending Big 12 Champion Texas A&M soccer team wrapped up a perfect 10-0 spring season with a 2-1 victory over the Florida Gators in the featured game of the National Collegiate Showcase at the Craig Ranch Soccer Complex.
The Aggies got on the scoreboard in the game's third minute when Ashlee Pistorius buried a perfect full-volley into the roof of the Gator goal. Freshman defender Micah Stephens set up the goal by dribbling the ball across the halfway line and serving a right footed cross in behind the Gator defense to a well positioned Pistorius 12-yards from the goal.
The game remained scoreless for the next 33 minutes with neither team able to penetrate the other's defense. However, in the 37th minute the Aggies were unable to clear a Florida serve in their penalty area. When a mis-cleared ball fell at the feet of a Gator forward, she gathered the ball into her control and passed it by Aggie goalkeeper Julie Spearink to send the game into halftime tied 1-1.
"I'm pleased with way our ladies came out for the second half,? said A&M head coach G Guerrieri. ?We were clearly tired, after beating a real good Chinese team last night in College Station and driving up to McKinney today. But our players showed definite mental toughness and went out and earned the win over one of the nation's most celebrated programs."
A&M got the winning goal in the game's 58th minute, again from Pistorius, the Big 12's leading scorer in 2005. Sophomore Amy Berend gained possession of a loose ball for the Aggies in the middle of the field and spun to complete a 35-yard diagonal pass to sophomore Allison Martino on A&M?â„¢s left wing.
Martino then dribbled behind the Gator backline and drove a low cross across the face of the goal to Pistorius on the back post, where she pushed the ball into the net with the inside of her right foot.
With the win over Florida, the Aggies conclude their spring non-traditional season with a perfect 10-0 record, which included wins over the USA U-20 National Team, China, NCAA Tournament teams Rice, UNT and Olympic Development Teams from Texas and the Southern USA region.
"We are pleased with the continued development of our players,? said Guerrieri. ?This now sends us into our summer fitness program with confidence and good momentum."
This fall, the defending Big 12 Champion Aggies will play one of the nation's toughest schedules, which includes home games against NCAA Tournament teams North Carolina, Penn State, Nebraska, Iowa State, Illinois and Cal State Fullerton.
Please visit AggieSoccer.com for up-to-date team and schedule information.