Texas A&M
North Carolina
Aggies Top Heels in Double Overtime, 1-0
Aug 25, 2006 | Soccer
August 25, 2006
The No. 9 Texas A&M soccer team (1-0-0) started their 2006 soccer season in style, defeating 18-time national champion North Carolina (0-1-0), 1-0, in overtime before a NCAA regular season record-setting crowd of 8,204 at the Aggie Soccer Stadium.
Ashlee Pistorius was playing in behind the Tar Heel backline after a hard tackle by junior midfielder Amy Berend nearly 30 yards from the UNC goal. Berend's pass put the Aggies?™ Soccer Buzz Preseason All-American in a one-on-one situation against the Carolina keeper. Pistorius then coolly netted a shot into the lower back corner of the net to send the entire stadium into pandemonium.
The top-10 Aggies controlled every statistical category on the night, outshooting No. 3 UNC 15-13, and earned more corner kicks, 8-2. Freshman goalkeeper Kristin Arnold recorded the shutout for the Aggies in her first official collegiate start.
"I am really proud of all our players," commented A&M head coach G Guerrieri. "You could see our team get stronger and stronger over the course of the game. I am especially happy for our four great defenders (Linda Pierson, Lauren Pfister, Micah Stephens and Emily Peterson) who really kept the game in control."
This is the first win over North Carolina for the Aggies, but the schedule ahead for the team doesn't get any easier. A&M will be back on the field this Sunday afternoon against the University of Texas - San Antonio and will then start a difficult run of games against No. 1 UCLA, No. 2 Santa Clara, No. 8 Penn State and No.15 Illinois.
"This was a true squad victory for us tonight," added Guerrieri. "We were able to make some quality substitutions throughout the night, and we never saw a dip in our play. I think it's a great testament for our players to look as fit and composed against such a great team as the Tar Heels."
Junior midfielder Paige Carmichael was named the State Farm Player of the Game for her tireless effort in the heart of the Aggie lineup.
The Aggies?™ next home game, against UTSA, kicks off at 2:30 p.m. this Sunday at the Aggie Soccer Stadium.
Free live video and audio of the match will be available on AggieAthletics.com through Aggies All-Access. Fans attending the match can listen to the broadcast live inside and around the stadium on 89.9 FM. Parking for the match is available in lots designated 100g, 100j or 100k.
