Texas A&M
Texas
Aggies and Longhorns Battle to 0-0 Tie
Sep 26, 2008 | Soccer
Sept. 26, 2008
AUSTIN, Texas - The No. 7 Texas A&M soccer team battled No. 9 Texas to a 0-0 tie in double overtime Friday evening at the Mike A Myers Stadium.
The match was intense from the get-go and the 12th Man was evident as the Aggies (7-1-1) and Longhorns (7-0-2) opened Big 12 play in front of 5,585, the largest crowd in UT history.
Sophomore keeper Kelly Dyer tallied a career-high eight saves for the third time this season, keeping Texas scoreless through 110 minutes for her second shutout of the year.
"It was a hard-fought game," said head coach G Guerrieri. "I'm proud of our youngsters for battling through for 110 minutes. "The game was back and forth and we had some good looks. It's a point and we earned it on the road. In this conference that's a big deal. Now we can turn our attention fully on the match Sunday at Baylor."
Both teams started the game on the attack with freshman Jennifer Kmezich firing the first shot on frame after a throw in on the left side six minutes into the match. The Longhorns' early pressure produced three chances after two consecutive corner kicks in the eighth minute.
A&M outshot Texas 8-7 in the first half and one opportunity came after freshman Rachael Balaguer won a ball on the right side. The Austin, Texas, native passed to sophomore Whitney Hooper at the top of the box. With her back to the goal, Hooper quickly turned and fired a shot that UT keeper Dianna Pfenninger was able to collect.
With 11 minutes remaining in the first half, Dyer came up with two key saves from point-blank range to keep the game scoreless going into the locker room.
The Aggies had limited chances in the second period, playing against a UT defense that has allowed just four goals all season.
In the 70th minute, A&M freshman Beth West sent a pass to sophomore Alyssa Mautz in the six-yard box. Mautz laced a right-footed shot as Pfenninger caught the ball for one of her seven saves on the evening.
With just over one minute remaining in the second half, Gilbeau blasted a shot straight on that Dyer blocked to keep the match tied 0-0. Dyer immediately drop kicked the ball into A&M's attacking third where Hooper collected and dribbled it inside the penalty box. The Houston, Texas, native's shot was sent towards the near post, but went just high.
Both squads had chances to put the game away in the two overtime periods, but neither was able to capitalize.
In the last minute of the match, Dyer made a save and kicked the ball down the field. Inside the penalty box Kmezich headed the ball on to Hooper as the UT keeper came out. After the ball bobbled on bad ground Hooper was still able to get a foot on it, but Pfenninger went down and collected A&M's last chance.
The Aggies totaled 13 shots, seven of which were on goal. Hooper paced A&M with four shots, two of which were on frame.
The Aggies continue Big 12 play on Sunday traveling to Baylor for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
