Texas A&M
Saint Mary's (Calif.)
Aggie Soccer Downs Saint Mary's, 2-1
Sep 06, 2009 | Soccer
Sept. 6, 2009
MORAGA, Calif. - The 10th-ranked Texas A&M soccer team scored a pair of first-half goals to push the Aggies past Saint Mary's, 2-1, Sunday morning before 313 fans at Saint Mary's Stadium.
A&M (3-2) converted on two set-piece chances to build the early lead. Over half of the Aggies' 13 shots (six) were on frame. The Gaels (2-3), who defeated Texas two days earlier, were held to two shots on the morning--one of which was a successful penalty kick that accounted for their lone goal.
"We did a better job today of controlling the tempo and possession of the ball," head coach G Guerrieri said. "We played really well through the midfield, which created a lot more options for our players in attack. Defensively, Saint Mary's are a side that really try to play, and we were able to close them down."
A&M peppered Gaels keeper Tara Larson with eight first-half shots, striking first in the 27th minute.
Junior Becca Herrera got to the ball and sent a chip in behind the back line, where sophomore Bri Young was able to redirect it past an onrushing Larson and into the net. Young's third goal of the season put the Aggies on top, 1-0.
A&M would ride that momentum to a flurry of chances in the next few minutes of play, but Larson was able to make three breakaway saves--two at point-blank range--to hold the deficit to one.
The Aggies' persistence would pay off in the 41st minute. Young took a free kick from a few yards outside the penalty area and sent it to sophomore Rachael Balaguer, who ran on to the ball, took it to the end line and sent a low, hard cross across the goal box. Senior Amber Gnatzig, who was waiting near the left post, then one-timed it into the back of the net to give A&M a 2-0 advantage heading into the locker room.
Saint Mary's Jessica Menzhuber would register the Gaels' only shot on goal in the 50th minute, as she converted a penalty kick after the Aggies were called for a hand ball inside the box. It would be Saint Mary's only shot of the half, as A&M's keepers--Kelly Dyer and Kristin Arnold, who each played a half--did not have to make a save on the day.
"Any road win is a good one," Guerrieri said. "We will look at this weekend as another good learning experience for our team and have to continue to get better this week in training."
The Aggies will return to action on Saturday when they wrap up a three-match road swing at top-ranked and defending national champion North Carolina. Kickoff at Fetzer Field is set for 1 p.m. (CDT).
