November 14, 2007
The reigning Big 12 Champion Texas A&M soccer team will open postseason play against Stephen F. Austin University in NCAA Tournament first round action on Thursday. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. at the Aggie Soccer Stadium.
?NCAA Tournament time is the most exciting time of the year for us, especially when we get the honor of playing at home in the Aggie Soccer Stadium in front of the 12th Man,? A&M head coach G Guerrieri said. ?Playing the game against SFA with a day?â„¢s less rest due to the early (Thursday) start of the tournament will be challenging, but we?â„¢re looking forward to the match. SFA is a very well coached team who?â„¢ve had a great season, and we?â„¢ll have to be good everywhere on the field to move forward in the tournament.?
SFA (13-4-2, 7-1-1) earned an automatic bid into the 64-team bracket after winning the Southland Conference Tournament last weekend in Natchitoches, La. The Ladyjacks defeated UTSA, 1-0, on Friday and defending SLC Tournament champion McNeese State, 3-0, on Sunday to claim the title.
Sophomore forward Erika Palmacci leads SFA in scoring, totaling 14 goals on the season, including two in the win over McNeese State.
SFA is making just its second trip to the NCAA tournament, and its first since 2003.
The Aggies received an at-large bid into the tournament after compiling an overall record of 17-3-2 and 9-1-0 in conference play that earned them their fourth consecutive regular season title, bringing their total to 10 in the league?â„¢s 12 seasons. A&M posted wins over Iowa State (1-1 adv. on PKs 8-7) and Missouri (4-1) to earn a spot in the Big 12 Championship title game on Sunday. Despite outshooting UT 33-8, the Aggies dropped a tough 2-1 decision to the Longhorns.
Senior forward Ashlee Pistorius leads the nation in scoring with 23 goals and is third in goals per game with a 1.045 average.
A&M is making its 13th tournament appearance. The Aggies are 10-2 in first round action.
Thursday?â„¢s match marks the third meeting between the Aggies and Ladyjacks. A&M holds the all-time series lead at 2-0. The Aggies recorded shutouts in both ?â„¢95 and ?â„¢05 with 10-0 and 3-0 wins, respectively.
The University of Texas and Brigham Young University will face off at 3 p.m. prior to the start of A&M?â„¢s match. The winners of Thursday?â„¢s games will meet in second round action at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Aggie Soccer Stadium.
Free live video and free live statistics will be available for this weekend?â„¢s matches on AggieAthletics.com.
Single session tickets will be sold on the day of the event. The ticket gate at the Aggie Soccer Stadium will open one hour prior to the match. Parking for this week?â„¢s matches will be available in lots designated 100J and 100K.