Friday, August 21
Houston, Texas
7:00 PM
Texas A&M
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Rice
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Texas A&M
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Photo by: Texas A&M Athletics
Aggies Win Season Opener at Rice, 4-2
Aug 21, 2015 | Soccer
HOUSTON, Texas – The No. 5 Texas A&M Aggies converted on three second half corner kicks to erase a 2-1 halftime deficit and register a 4-2 win over the Rice Owls in the season opener. The start of the season debut was delayed by two hours as a thunderstorm rolled through Houston.
Sophomore Haley Pounds put the service on all three corner kicks to earn three assists in the match. Sophomore McKayla Paulson put headers in on two of the offerings for her first two career goals. Freshman Kate Hajdu, who also scored in the first half, tallied her second goal off of a Pounds corner kick.
In the 49th minute, Pounds sent in the first of her 10 corner kicks in the second half. The ball settled at the feet of Hajdu who scored from 12 yards out to knot the match at 2-2.
Texas A&M claimed its first lead of the match in the 51st minute when Pounds' corner kick from the right arc found Paulson's head in the six-yard box. The duo connected again in the 60th minute to stake the Aggies to a 4-2 lead.
The Owls were able to take advantage of a pair of set pieces to take a 2-1 lead into the intermission. Texas A&M found themselves trailing despite owning decisive advantages in shots (17-5), shots-on-goal (7-4) and corner kicks (3-1).
In the 22nd minute, the Aggies were called for a foul in the penalty box give Rice a PK opportunity. The Owls gave the penalty kick nod to Jenny Fichera who found the net to break the scoring seal.
Texas A&M bounced back quickly for the equalizer. In the 26th minute, the Aggies' offensive pressure paid off. After the Owls were unable to clear the ball after a shot from Pounds, the ball settled to the feet of Hajdu who launched a shoot from 20 yards, sending it to the back of the net to tie the score at 1-1.
Rice reclaimed the lead in the 29th minute. The Owls were awarded a free kick to the right side of the penalty box. Lauren Hughes sent a service to the top of the penalty box where Danielle Spriggs skirted the ball to her left finding Dominique Mazero 15 yards out. Mazero was able to send a low driving ball to the left of a diving Taylor Saucier for the 2-1 advantage.
The Aggies had overwhelming offensive pressure throughout the match, owning a 31-9 edge in shots, 13-5 advantage in shots-on-goal and 13-2 margin in corner kicks.
Taylor Saucier went the distance in net for the Aggies, logging three saves.
Texas A&M returns to action on Sunday with the home opener at Ellis Field. The Aggies and Northwestern State Demons kick off at 6 pm.
TEXAS A&M QUOTES
Head Coach G Guerrieri
On tonight's performance: We gave up a penalty that came after a bit of a comedy of errors from us that led to the penalty kick. Taylor still almost made the save on it. Then we give up one on a bit of a scramble. But for this team, as young as it is, to have the confidence and the composure to go in at halftime trailing 2-1 and come out and win convincingly says a lot about them. We didn't have to panic at halftime. It was just a matter of understanding that we weren't quite sharp enough on both ends of the field.
On the corner kicks: I thought Haley (Pounds) had some tremendous services and we have some really good targets. Mac (Paulson) did a great job timing her two headers and Kate (Hajdu) was composed on finishing
On winning on the road: Winning is great. Winning on the road is even better. Rice is a team that we know is going to win a lot of games. So to come in and come from behind and win in a tough situation with the rain delay and slick surface was good.
Sophomore forward Haley Pounds
On the second half corner kicks: This week in practice we worked on corner kicks a lot. We just did what we had been working on and Kate (Hajdu) and Mac (Paulson) did a great job finishing.
On starting the season with a win: I think it was super important. It sets the tone for the rest of the season. To be down 2-1 at the half and score three goals shows we can battle through adversity.
Sophomore defender McKayla Paulson
On scoring her first two career goals: It feels awesome. I know with Meghan (Streight) and Shea (Groom) leaving there was that whole there. They scored a lot on set pieces the last few years. I was definitely wanting to fill that role and get my head on some.
On Haley Pounds' services: The services are literally everything. If it's a perfect ball, I should not miss. She has done well the last two weeks putting it right into the six-yard area. Right in the middle and it's always been a perfect ball for me.
Sophomore Haley Pounds put the service on all three corner kicks to earn three assists in the match. Sophomore McKayla Paulson put headers in on two of the offerings for her first two career goals. Freshman Kate Hajdu, who also scored in the first half, tallied her second goal off of a Pounds corner kick.
In the 49th minute, Pounds sent in the first of her 10 corner kicks in the second half. The ball settled at the feet of Hajdu who scored from 12 yards out to knot the match at 2-2.
Texas A&M claimed its first lead of the match in the 51st minute when Pounds' corner kick from the right arc found Paulson's head in the six-yard box. The duo connected again in the 60th minute to stake the Aggies to a 4-2 lead.
The Owls were able to take advantage of a pair of set pieces to take a 2-1 lead into the intermission. Texas A&M found themselves trailing despite owning decisive advantages in shots (17-5), shots-on-goal (7-4) and corner kicks (3-1).
In the 22nd minute, the Aggies were called for a foul in the penalty box give Rice a PK opportunity. The Owls gave the penalty kick nod to Jenny Fichera who found the net to break the scoring seal.
Texas A&M bounced back quickly for the equalizer. In the 26th minute, the Aggies' offensive pressure paid off. After the Owls were unable to clear the ball after a shot from Pounds, the ball settled to the feet of Hajdu who launched a shoot from 20 yards, sending it to the back of the net to tie the score at 1-1.
Rice reclaimed the lead in the 29th minute. The Owls were awarded a free kick to the right side of the penalty box. Lauren Hughes sent a service to the top of the penalty box where Danielle Spriggs skirted the ball to her left finding Dominique Mazero 15 yards out. Mazero was able to send a low driving ball to the left of a diving Taylor Saucier for the 2-1 advantage.
The Aggies had overwhelming offensive pressure throughout the match, owning a 31-9 edge in shots, 13-5 advantage in shots-on-goal and 13-2 margin in corner kicks.
Taylor Saucier went the distance in net for the Aggies, logging three saves.
Texas A&M returns to action on Sunday with the home opener at Ellis Field. The Aggies and Northwestern State Demons kick off at 6 pm.
TEXAS A&M QUOTES
Head Coach G Guerrieri
On tonight's performance: We gave up a penalty that came after a bit of a comedy of errors from us that led to the penalty kick. Taylor still almost made the save on it. Then we give up one on a bit of a scramble. But for this team, as young as it is, to have the confidence and the composure to go in at halftime trailing 2-1 and come out and win convincingly says a lot about them. We didn't have to panic at halftime. It was just a matter of understanding that we weren't quite sharp enough on both ends of the field.
On the corner kicks: I thought Haley (Pounds) had some tremendous services and we have some really good targets. Mac (Paulson) did a great job timing her two headers and Kate (Hajdu) was composed on finishing
On winning on the road: Winning is great. Winning on the road is even better. Rice is a team that we know is going to win a lot of games. So to come in and come from behind and win in a tough situation with the rain delay and slick surface was good.
Sophomore forward Haley Pounds
On the second half corner kicks: This week in practice we worked on corner kicks a lot. We just did what we had been working on and Kate (Hajdu) and Mac (Paulson) did a great job finishing.
On starting the season with a win: I think it was super important. It sets the tone for the rest of the season. To be down 2-1 at the half and score three goals shows we can battle through adversity.
Sophomore defender McKayla Paulson
On scoring her first two career goals: It feels awesome. I know with Meghan (Streight) and Shea (Groom) leaving there was that whole there. They scored a lot on set pieces the last few years. I was definitely wanting to fill that role and get my head on some.
On Haley Pounds' services: The services are literally everything. If it's a perfect ball, I should not miss. She has done well the last two weeks putting it right into the six-yard area. Right in the middle and it's always been a perfect ball for me.
Team Stats
TAMU
RICE
Goals
4
2
Shots
31
9
Shots on Goal
13
5
Saves
3
9
Corners
13
2
Fouls
7
10
Scoring Plays
Jenny Fichera (1)
RICE Jenny Fichera PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 1 for season.
21:30
Hajdu, Kate (1)
GOAL by TAMU Hajdu, Kate, goal number 1 for season.
25:51
Dominique Mazero (1)
Assisted By: Danielle Spriggs , Lauren Hughes
after foul, in front of goal
28:34
Hajdu, Kate (2)
Assisted By: Pounds, Haley
in traffic from close range
48:30
Paulson, McKayla (1)
Assisted By: Pounds, Haley
header after corner
50:43
Paulson, McKayla (2)
Assisted By: Pounds, Haley
Header GOAL by TAMU Paulson, McKayla, Assist by Pounds, Haley, goal number 2 for season.
59:05
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
6
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
3
Shots
5
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
The Aggie Soccer Hour (Extra)
Wednesday, September 17
The Aggie Soccer Hour (Ep 3)
Wednesday, September 10
Weekly Press Conference: G Guerrieri
Monday, September 08
Highlights: Texas A&M 1, TCU 2
Sunday, September 07
