Aggies Advance to Semifinals with 3-0 Win Over Georgia

Wednesday, November 5

Orange Beach, Ala.

5:00 PM

Texas A&M

16-2-2

Georgia

10-7-2

Georgia

Texas A&M

Nov 05, 2014 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Texas A&M Athletics

ORANGE BEACH, Alabama – The Texas A&M Aggies got goals from three different seniors to notch a 3-0 win over the Georgia Bulldogs in SEC Tournament quarterfinal action Wednesday evening at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.

Seniors Bianca Brinson, Annie Kunz and Meghan Streight each put the biscuit in the basket as A&M improved to 3-0 all-time in SEC semifinal round action. The three goals were the most-ever for the Aggies in an SEC Tournament match as the Maroon and White improved to 5-1 all-time in the event. All three assists were also provided by seniors, including Kunz, Shea Groom and Kelley Monogue.

The Aggies did not let the Bulldogs' offense out, playing smothering defense and holding Georgia (10-7-2) to just five shots on the evening, including one in the first half.

Jordan Day recorded her 30th career shutout, making one save in the contest. It marked her third shutout in SEC Tournament play.

Texas A&M (16-2-2) broke the scoring seal in the sixth minute of action. Kunz controlled the ball at the attacking edge of the center circle and poked a diagonal pass to Brinson who was charging down the right side of the pitch. The dribbling Brinson blew past the lone remaining defender in a foot race and was able to unleash a shot from 10 yards out to the right of the keeper for the 1-0 lead just 5:14 into the match.

The first half did not see much action on the offensive ends with just eight shots total with A&M owning a 6-2 advantage, including a 3-1 margin in shots-on-goal.

The Maroon and White turned up the offensive intensity coming out of the intermission and it paid immediate dividends. Thirty-six seconds into the second stanza, Kunz received a through ball from Groom at the top of the penalty box and unleashed a shot into the right upper 90 for the 2-0 lead.

Texas A&M added an insurance goal off a set piece in the 61st minute. Monogue sent in a free kick from 35 yards out, 10 yards off the touchline. Her service hooked into a wall of players 12 yards out to the left of center and Streight sent it to the right side netting for the 3-0 lead with 29:15 remaining in the match.

The Aggies advance to SEC Tournament semifinal action Friday at Orange Beach Sportsplex. A&M will play either Missouri or South Carolina in a 3:30 pm match.

TEXAS A&M QUOTES

Head Coach G Guerrieri
On the importance of attacking early in both halves…
It is one of the things we emphasized. Georgia is a team that we expect to make the NCAA Tournament, but they have had to play a lot of minutes since last Thursday so we wanted to jump on them early and take their legs away and maybe some belief they could win. All three of the goals were quality goals.

On the defense…
I thought our whole backline played really well, holding a strong offensive team like Georgia to five shots. Karlie (Mueller) had a fantastic game and left it all on the field. Meghan (Streight) is always an anchor back there and Leigh (Edwards) and Ashlynn (Harryman) had strong performances tonight.

Senior forward Annie Kunz
On today's match…
We watched Florida get bumped out by Tennessee and we didn't want that to happen to us. We got a great goal early from BB (Bianca Brinson), but we didn't play as dominant as we could. Phil (Stephenson) gave a great halftime speech, saying our effort wasn't good enough. We came out in the second half and reached all of our goals that we set, scoring three goals and getting a shutout.

On getting to play a lot of players…
All of the subs that came in did a great job. A lot of starters got some rest, so we should be fairly fresh on Friday. Today's win is nice, but the goal is to win the tournament and we're going to need great play from everyone to accomplish that goal.