Aggies Fall in Heart Breaker in SEC Semifinal

PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Texas A&M soccer team was doomed by Georgia's Croix Bethune's game-winner with 27 seconds remaining in overtime as the Aggies dropped a 3-2 decision to the Bulldogs in Thursday's SEC semifinal match at Escambia County Stadium.
 
The Maroon & White rebounded from a yielding a Georgia go-ahead goal midway through the first OT period. Jazmine Wilkinson redirected a Sydney Becerra shot on a corner kick to tie the game in the 104^th minute after the Bulldogs' Hannah White scored in the 95^th minute.
 
But Georgia made the most of the entire 20 minutes of extra time, earning a free kick in the waning moments. The Aggies were unable to clear the set piece and Devon Winters connected with Bethune on the game winner.
 
Texas A&M was unable to make the most of its 27-16 edge in shots, including 15-11 in the second half and 6-2 in the 20 minutes of overtime. The Aggies also held advantages in shots-on-goal (13-11) and corner kicks (4-1).
 
The Aggies carried a 1-0 lead into the intermission when freshman Taylor Jernigan knocked in a ball at the right post after Kate Colvin's initial shot was parried away by the Georgia keeper.  
 
The Bulldogs knotted the match at 1-1 in the 56th minute. Nicole Vernis converted on a penalty kick following a handball in the box by an A&M defender.
 
Texas A&M had a golden opportunity to score a goal in the 102^nd minute, but the Maroon & White missed on a penalty kick after Maile Hayes was taken down in the box.
 
GOAL SUMMARY
41' – Andersen Williams sent a square ball to the left corner of the penalty box where Kate Colvin took a couple touches before ripping a shot to the right post where Taylor Jernigan knocked it in. A&M 1, UGA 0
 
56' – Nicole Vernis converted a penalty kick after a Texas A&M handball in the box. A&M 1, UGA 1
 
95' – Madison Haugen bodied an A&M player off the ball and sent a ball down the center channel to Croix Bethune who played it off to Hannah White for the goal. A&M 1, UGA 2
 
103' – A corner kick came out to Sydney Becerra who ripped a shot from 16 yards. The offering ricocheted off Jazmine Wilkinson and into goal. A&M 2, UGA 2
 
110' – After the Aggies were unable to clear a free kick by the Bulldogs, Devon Winters sent a ball in to Bethune for the finish with 27 seconds remaining. A&M 2, UGA 3
 
UP NEXT...
The Aggies await word on an NCAA Tournament bid when the bracket is announced Monday at 3 p.m.