Texas A&M
Santa Clara
Aggies Fall to No. 3 Santa Clara, 2-0
Sep 10, 2006 | Soccer
September 10, 2006
The No. 3 Texas A&M soccer team dropped a tough 2-0 decision to 3rd-ranked Santa Clara in the final game of the UCLA Women?™s Cup before 150 fans at Drake Stadium.
The Aggies, playing their fourth top-five opponent of the young season, fell to 3-2-1. Santa Clara improved to 5-1. A&M's two losses on the weekend marked just the third time in the program's 14-year history that the Aggies suffered two defeats on the same weekend.
"We're disappointed with the result," A&M coach G Guerrieri said. "It wasn't a lack of effort or desire by our players today. I think Santa Clara did a great job of finishing their chances in a tight game. This weekend is a tough evaluation for us but it gives us a picture of where we need to improve to accomplish our goals for the season."
Aggie junior forward Ashlee Pistorius provided the best opportunity of a scoreless first half, receiving a through ball from junior Allison Martino for a breakway chance. Pistorius beat Santa Clara keeper Meagan McCray with a shot that struck the inside of the left post and ricocheted across frame.
For the half, the Aggies outshot the Broncos, 7-4.
A&M controlled possession early in the second half, having an apparent Suzzette Devloo goal waived off for offsides. Several minutes later, SCU forward Meagan Snell ripped a shot from 20 yards out off the crossbar and into the net, giving the Broncos a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute.
The Aggies continued to press forward and came close to tying the game when Pistorius again snuck behind the defense and dribbled past McCray, but couldn't unload the shot before the Bronco defense recovered and regained possession.
Brittany Klein pushed Santa Clara's lead to 2-0 with a goal in the 74th minute.
The Aggies had an opportunity to get on the board one minute later off a Bronco foul right outside the 18-yard box. Senior defender Linda Pierson blasted the free kick through the wall. McCray blocked the shot on the right post and smothered the rebound before Aggie freshman Amber Gnaztig could get a foot on the ball.
For the match, the Broncos held a narrow 11-10 shot advantage. A&M forced McCray to make six saves.
The Aggies will be back in action at home on Friday when they face 18th-ranked Cal State Fullerton.
"It will be nice to get home, even though we're going to see another top-20 opponent in Fullerton," Guerrieri said.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Aggie Soccer Stadium.
