Aggies Blank TCU, 4-0

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Texas A&M Aggies continued their unblemished spring slate with a 4-0 victory over the TCU Horned Frogs Saturday evening on Ellis Field.
 
For the match, Texas A&M owned advantages in shots (12-4), shots-on-goal (7-3) and corner kicks (4-1).
 
Texas A&M pounced on TCU for a goal in the fourth minute of play. Stephanie Malherbe sent a header into the back of the net off a disruptive cross from Ally Watt.
 
In the 35^th minute, Emily Bates corralled the carom off a missed shot with back to net and pivoted to unleash a missile into the goal for the 2-0 advantage.
 
The Aggies wasted no time in the second half, sending a ball quickly into the box where TCU committed a foul after just 18 seconds had elapsed. Haley Pounds converted the penalty for the third Texas A&M goal.
 
Pounds had two more PK opportunities in the second half. She hit the post on an attempt in the 55^th minute, but would score her second goal after a foul in the final 84th.
 
Goalkeeper Cosette Morche and the Aggie Defense kept the Horned Frogs off the scoreboard, limiting them to four shots, three on-goal and just one corner. It marked the fifth shutout in as many games of the spring campaign. In their five matches, the Maroon and White are outscoring opponents 22-0.
 
Next up, the SFA Lumberjacks travel to Ellis Field to meet the Aggies. First kick is set for 1:00 p.m. in the second to last spring contest. 
 
 
TEXAS A&M QUOTES
 
Head Coach G Guerrieri
On the match…
"I'm really pleased with the progress this team is making from week to week in this developmental portion of the year.  It was great to play a quality side like TCU, who's coming off their best season in their long history, in front of an energized crowd here at Ellis Field."
 
On how the squad is developing…
"We keep telling people how fun this Aggie team is to watch, and how entertaining a brand of ball they're playing this spring.  The international trip we made to Costa Rica last week only bonded this group of young ladies into a closer family that really loves playing quick, controlled, attacking soccer together and for each other."
 
On the impressive performance of both the offense and defense…
"Today, even though we were without All-American Mikaela Harvey and still have a handful of other very talented players not quite at 100% health, you can see the potential the Aggies are starting to show.  Emily Bates, Ally Watt, Addie McCain, Stephanie Malherbe, and Haley Pounds really covered a lot of ground tonight against a well-coached and talented Frog team. Scoring four goals, and even missing a penalty kick, illustrates the firepower on our roster. But, just as impressive to me is the way our backline has come together to post its fifth straight shutout.  Almost all of our defensive unit has never played with each other before this spring, and they get better and better every day.
 
On what is next for the Aggies…
"Next week when SFA comes to Ellis Field. We will take on another successful program, who's used to winning their conference and playing in the NCAA postseason.  Lumberjack head coach Wally Crittenden is a former coach on our staff and is someone that I'm sure will have his team ready to compete.  But, I'm excited to get our side back on Ellis Field to compete and try to entertain our wonderful fans with more beautiful play."