Aggies and Mexico U20 Women's National Team Play to 1-1 Draw

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Texas A&M Aggies and Mexico Under-20 Women's National Team played to a 1-1 draw Thursday night at Ellis Field.

 

The match, the second of three for Mexico in College Station this week, was a lively affair in front of an fully engaged crowd of over 2,500 fans. El Tri features Aggie rising sophomore Jimena López as they prepare for the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup.

 

The play was nearly as equal as the final score. Mexico had more shots (13-12) and worked the end lines to possess a 6-1 edge in corner kicks, but the Maroon & White had more dangerous attacks, with an 8-4 edge in shots-on-goal.

 

Mexico drew first blood in the second minute of action. El Tri worked the ball down to the end line on the right side of the 6-yard box with Katty Martinez sending a cross into an unmarked Belen de Jesus Cruz for the seal breaker.

 

The Aggies notched an equalizer in the 16^th minute. With the Maroon & White extending their pressure on the offensive end, Brittany Crabtree was able to deflect an attempted clearance by the Mexico goalkeeper Miriam Aguirre. The carom landed at the feet of Ally Watt 22 yards out. She charged into the penalty box before launching the ball over Aguirre who was scurrying back to the line.

 

Watt had a chance to break the tie in 24^th minute, but she was stonewalled by Aguirre on a shot from 10 yards out. Aguirre also saved a shot by Emily Bates from 8 yards out on a corner kick to keep the game tied going to the intermission.

 

Texas A&M owned the halftime numbers, including advantages in goals (8-5), shots-on-goal (6-1) and corner kicks (1-0).

 

After Jordan Burbank played the first half in goal for the Aggies, allowing one goal and making one save, Cosette Morché played the second half. Morché made three saves, including a save on a shot by de Jesus Cruz from eight yards out near the left corner of the 6-yard box.

 

Thursday was the third of five playing dates for the Aggies this spring. Texas A&M hosts TCU in a 3 p.m. match on March 24 and they wrap up the slate with a 7 p.m. match against the University of Houston on March 30.

 

TEXAS A&M QUOTES

Head coach G Guerrieri

On the match...

"What a great atmosphere. It was a great night of soccer and we were so happy to be able to host Jimena's teammates. Chris (Cuellar) is doing a great job with the U20s in Mexico. It's a really good side and they provided a great test for us tonight."

 

On the outcome...

"It was a tough match. Both teams played hard to get goals early and then it was a standoff from there. I was pleased with the effort of our players. A lot of players did some good things out there. Now they get week off for spring break and we'll be back to work to close out the spring session."

 

Rising junior Ally Watt

On her goal...

"That goal was because of Brittany (Crabtree)'s hard work. She applied the pressure and got her head on that clearance. It came right to me. After that, I just needed to take my time and make sure I took a good shot.

 

Rising sophomore Jimena Lopez, playing for Mexico

On the match...

"It was so much fun. It was weird at first playing against my teammates here, but once we started playing it was exciting. I was really happy with the crowd that came out to see us play. It made it a fun game."

 

On the outcome...

1-1. It was good for everybody.