Aggies Knock-Off China, 1-0
Mar 31, 2006 | Soccer
March 31, 2006
The Texas A&M soccer team finished the home portion of its spring exhibition season by beating China 1-0 in the opening match of the 2006 Panda Cup.
The Aggies outshot the Chinese 9-2 on the evening, but saw goalkeeper Ning Zhenyun make eight saves for China to keep the score-line tight. However, Melissa Garey was able to score the winning goal for the Aggies in the 47th minute, and a solid Aggie defense kept the Chinese attack in check all night to seal the shutout win.
The game started off tentatively as both teams worked to find their rhythm. But, as the first half moved along, the Aggie midfield of Paige Carmichael, Amy Berend and Laura Grace Robinson started to take control of the match.
?We did okay in the first half,? commented A&M head coach G Guerrieri. ?It was a very attractive, skillfully played game. But I was really pleased with how our players responded to the adjustments we made at halftime and were able to jump on our opponent early in the second half. Once we got the lead, you could see our players play with more and more confidence, and you kind of knew that we were going to be able to keep the game under control for the rest of the night.?
Just two minutes into the second half, All-Big 12 forward Garey controlled a loose ball at the halfway line and turned on her Chinese defender, then slipped a ball into an open space on the Aggies?™ left flank which a streaking Allison Martino jumped on and flew past the Chinese back line. Martino then bent a low cross in behind the Chinese defense which Garey hammered into the back corner of the net with her right foot.
?That was a really nice goal,? said Guerrieri. ?It really showed the type of skill and athleticism our players possess in attack. ?'A-Mart?™ played a great little ball into the box and Melissa finished it like a pro.?
The Aggies are now 9-0 for the spring season, including a pair of wins over top international opponents (China 1-0 and the USA U-20 National Team 2-1). A&M will finish their game schedule in less than a day after the conclusion of the Chinese game, as they travel to McKinney, Texas to play the University of Florida in the headline match of the National Collegiate Showcase Tournament, hosted by the Sting Soccer Club of Dallas. Kickoff for the game against the Gators is set for 5:00 p.m. at the Craig Ranch Soccer Complex in McKinney, Texas.
?The game against Florida will be a big challenge for us,? said Guerrieri. ?That?™s not just because our players are going to be tired from tonight?™s game and the four hours of travel it will take to get to McKinney, but because Florida is a good NCAA Tournament level team. They have already beaten a Final Four team (Florida State) and they beat Nebraska last weekend. So, we look forward to it. This is exactly the kind of challenge we like to test ourselves with in the spring.?
Directions to Craig Ranch Soccer Complex:
To get to the Craig Ranch Soccer Complex from North Dallas, drive north on Highway 75 (Central Expressway) and exit at Stacy Road in Allen. At the light turn left and follow Stacy until it dead-ends at Highway 121. There is a light there. Turn left on Highway 121 and at the next light, (Alma Rd.) turn right. You'll see the ballpark and the soccer complex. The Aggies and Gators will be playing on the Championship Field n the center of the complex.
