Texas A&M
Cal State Fullerton
Soccer Suffers 2-1 Loss to the Titans
Sep 15, 2006 | Soccer
September 15, 2006
The 6th-ranked Texas A&M soccer team suffered a deflating defeat to No. 25 Cal State Fullerton, 2-1, despite controlling most of the play and outshooting the Titans 25-7 in front of 2,653 fans at the Aggie Soccer Stadium.
Despite the Aggie domination in ball possession and out corner-kicking the Titans 7-2, it was Fullerton who converted its scoring chances. The Titans made the Aggies pay with two counter-attacking goals by midfielder Lauryn Welch.
Fullerton got on the scoreboard in the 25th minute when Welch completed a quick counter-attack from a loose ball in the middle of the field.
The Aggies tied the game four minutes later when Amber Gnatzig one-timed a ball into the upper corner of the goal following a Titan mis-clear of an Aggie corner kick.
The teams went into halftime tied at one, with the Aggies holding a 12-3 shot advantage.
The second half went much like the first with A&M on attack and Fullerton keeping eight players back to absorb the pressure. But, despite A&M forwards and midfielders having numerous looks at the goal, Fullerton goalkeeper, Karen Bardsley was even to the challenge, making 12 saves on the night, while the Fullerton defense cleared two more Aggie attempts off the goal-line.
Welch scored the game-winner in the 61st minute and the Titans withstood a half hour of Aggie attacks to preserve the victory. With the win, Fullerton improves to 4-1-1, while A&M falls to 3-3-1.
The Aggies return to their home field again this Sunday with a 7 p.m. match against Sam Houston State.
