SPOTLIGHT: Finding a Home in Aggieland

Many student-athletes call Texas A&M home for their entire collegiate careers. Others start their careers elsewhere and find their way to Aggieland. Either way, Aggie Soccer is a great place to be. Many transfers have made, and continue to make a huge impact for Texas A&M on the pitch. With the success the program has attained, Aggie Soccer is on the radar for athletes across the country.

Alyssa Mautz, Merritt Mathias and Dani Rice are just a few examples of past transfers who largely impacted Aggie Soccer during their time with the program.

Mautz spent a year at Saint Louis University before transitioning to Texas A&M from 2008-10. She earned All-Big 12 honors during both her junior and senior seasons in Aggieland. She started every match during her senior campaign. She also gained experience for the United States on both the Under-20 and Under 23 teams. Since leaving College Station, Mautz has enjoyed a successful professional career, as well, and currently plays for the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL. 
    

"Playing for Texas A&M was the best decision I could have made to excel in my soccer career," said Mautz. "The program challenged me as a player and person every day. My teammates became my family, and the experience of playing in front of the 12^th Man will never be forgotten."

As for Mathias, she spent two years at the University of North Carolina before moving to Aggieland. Mathias was named to the All-Big 12 First Team in both seasons. Mathias played on multiple US National teams during her career and also has enjoyed success at the professional level. She currently plays for the Seattle Reign FC, where she has been since 2015.

"I fell in love with the facilities, the coaches and the players at A&M," remarked Mathias. "The turning point in my career was when I decided to come to Texas A&M."
 

Then there's Dani Rice, who started her college career at Creighton before moving to Texas A&M. She made the most of the opportunity, as she worked her way into the starting goalie position. She now plays professionally in Sweden. Despite not knowing how much playing time she would get, Rice took a chance and made the move anyway. Taking that chance certainly paid off.  

"Dani left a full scholarship and the starting position at Creighton to come here to initially be the third-team goalkeeper," noted Coach G Guerrieri. "She came here for the opportunity, because if she was going to play professionally, she needed an environment like this." 
 

Impact transfers continue to see Aggie Soccer as a good fit. As you look at this year's roster, you notice a pair of transfers who immediately earned starting spots for the Aggies…Briana Alston and Cosette Morché.

Alston spent her freshman season at Florida State. She has started every game so far this season on the back line for the Aggies. What stood out about A&M as a possible destination?

"It was easy to see how good the A&M program is, and I knew how much talent was here," remarked Alston. "Then I learned about all the tradition. Everyone is so committed, and the school has a family feel."
 

Alston had the expectation to make an instant impact at Texas A&M. Getting to know the team and building chemistry was also high on her list of priorities and expectations. What she didn't fully expect is the amount of support she and her teammates receive.  

"You get the A&M feel," said Alston. "The crowd, yells and amount of support we receive takes some getting used to. It's so cool, though, especially for someone who transferred here and wasn't used to it."

While her time in Aggieland has been short, Alston's first real experience of the "A&M feel" came on Fish Camp Night.  

"Walking on the field on Fish Camp Night was overwhelming," remembered Alston. "I'm not used to playing in front of crowds like that. Once I got out there, I really was able to appreciate it and realized what a cool atmosphere it was."

Morché spent a pair of years at Louisiana-Lafayette. She is now the starting goalie for the Aggies in her first year with the program. Much like Alston and other transfers before, she is making the most of her opportunity in College Station. When you talk with Morché about her brief time here, it's crystal clear how she feels about making the move.

"Best decision ever," stated Morché. "I'm so happy. My teammates are awesome, and our coaching staff has taught me so much already in a short amount of time. I'm just trying to soak it all in. Many people have already noticed how happy I am with my decision to come here."
 

As far as soccer experience is concerned, it's hard to beat what Texas A&M offers. Morché quickly learned what Aggieland is all about.

"I didn't know what the 12^th Man was," acknowledged Morché. "I came for a football game and was blown away by the experience. I love having people cheer us on, and it was cool to know the 12^th Man is here and always ready to support us."

It has to be challenging for transfers. There are a lot of unknowns. You may have multiple options to weigh, and you don't know if you're really wanted or needed once you make the decision. Playing time has to be earned, and everything is new…new culture, new teammates, new coaches and a totally new environment.

Those challenges, though, also create a different level of appreciation and drive, something Coach G has seen plenty of over the years at Texas A&M.

"A freshman comes in and this is all they know," Guerrieri admitted. "A transfer comes in, and they immediately find out how good our student-athletes have it. Transfers tend to come in very thankful for a second chance with a determination to make the most of that chance. They don't take things for granted, and we feel like the life of a student-athlete at Texas A&M is unlike anywhere else in the country."

An education at Texas A&M sets student-athletes up for success after school. Student-athletes have tools like the 12^th Man Foundation and the Aggie Network to assist them. Aggie Soccer is rich with tradition with a consistent and well-respected coaching staff, and the support of the 12^th Man is second to none. To top it off, the atmosphere in Aggieland is something that people want to be a part of.
 

Some programs might not open the door to give student-athletes a second chance. Aggie Soccer has always welcomed those opportunities and those student-athletes with open arms, just another way the program stands apart.  

"It's felt like home since I got here," Morché continued. "I couldn't imagine not being at Texas A&M. I love it here so much and am so thankful for this opportunity."