WACO – The Texas A&M soccer team continued its spring success with wins over Baylor (2-0) and UIW (4-1) in 60-minute matches played Saturday afternoon at Betty Lou Mays Field.
Shae O'Rourke and Mia Pante led the Aggies' offensive exploits on the day with two goals apiece. MaKhiya McDonald and Jazmine Wilkinson also tacked on goals. Grace Ivey and Leah Pirro contributed assists.
The day started with a dominant performance victory over the Bears. Goalkeepers Maysen Veronda and Grace McClelland each played a half in goal with two saves apiece for in the shutout.
The Aggies broke the scoring seal in the 22nd minute. McDonald took a clearance from Adysen Armenta and weaved through three Bears on a 70-yard dash to the penalty box. She sent a left-footed bender into the left upper 90 from 15 yards.
Pante put Texas A&M comfortably ahead in the 41st minute. She took a square pass from Ivey at the top of the box and blasted a low-driving right-footer past the Baylor keeper inside the left post.
Against UIW, the Aggies need just 76 second for the icebreaker. Wilkinson was successful on a header from 10 yards out on a cross from Pirro.
The Cardinals tied the match in the 37th minute, but the Maroon & White responded with three goals in the last 15 minutes to finish the day strong. Pante scored the game-winner with a left-footer from the left flank after dribbling past two Cardinals. O'Rourke scored the first of her pair in the 53rd minute, threading her way through four defenders before scoring from 16 yards. Two minutes later she intercepted a UIW pass along the backline and needed just one touch to crush a right-footer to the back netting.
This spring, the Maroon & White have outscored opponents 11-2 in 240 minutes of action. O'Rourke leads the offensive output with three goals and two assists while Pante has also notched three goals.
The Aggies return to action Tuesday, April 2, at 8 p.m. when they battle the Texas Southern Tigers in an 8 p.m. exhibition at Ellis Field.
TEXAS A&M QUOTES
Head Coach G Guerrieri
On the offensive attack...
"It was nice to get out and test the team on the road. It was exciting to see how much more dangerous our attack is becoming with maturity and a few new personalities. The depth we're developing in the attack will be really important as we head to the fall championship portion of the schedule."
On the growth of the team this spring...
"We return most of our defense and have been building on the educational experiences from our SEC and NCAA tournament runs to continue our progression as one of the most dangerous attacking teams in the nation. I'm excited to continue that growth over the next month and head into the summer with a lot of momentum."
Shae O'Rourke and Mia Pante led the Aggies' offensive exploits on the day with two goals apiece. MaKhiya McDonald and Jazmine Wilkinson also tacked on goals. Grace Ivey and Leah Pirro contributed assists.
The day started with a dominant performance victory over the Bears. Goalkeepers Maysen Veronda and Grace McClelland each played a half in goal with two saves apiece for in the shutout.
The Aggies broke the scoring seal in the 22nd minute. McDonald took a clearance from Adysen Armenta and weaved through three Bears on a 70-yard dash to the penalty box. She sent a left-footed bender into the left upper 90 from 15 yards.
Pante put Texas A&M comfortably ahead in the 41st minute. She took a square pass from Ivey at the top of the box and blasted a low-driving right-footer past the Baylor keeper inside the left post.
Against UIW, the Aggies need just 76 second for the icebreaker. Wilkinson was successful on a header from 10 yards out on a cross from Pirro.
The Cardinals tied the match in the 37th minute, but the Maroon & White responded with three goals in the last 15 minutes to finish the day strong. Pante scored the game-winner with a left-footer from the left flank after dribbling past two Cardinals. O'Rourke scored the first of her pair in the 53rd minute, threading her way through four defenders before scoring from 16 yards. Two minutes later she intercepted a UIW pass along the backline and needed just one touch to crush a right-footer to the back netting.
This spring, the Maroon & White have outscored opponents 11-2 in 240 minutes of action. O'Rourke leads the offensive output with three goals and two assists while Pante has also notched three goals.
The Aggies return to action Tuesday, April 2, at 8 p.m. when they battle the Texas Southern Tigers in an 8 p.m. exhibition at Ellis Field.
TEXAS A&M QUOTES
Head Coach G Guerrieri
On the offensive attack...
"It was nice to get out and test the team on the road. It was exciting to see how much more dangerous our attack is becoming with maturity and a few new personalities. The depth we're developing in the attack will be really important as we head to the fall championship portion of the schedule."
On the growth of the team this spring...
"We return most of our defense and have been building on the educational experiences from our SEC and NCAA tournament runs to continue our progression as one of the most dangerous attacking teams in the nation. I'm excited to continue that growth over the next month and head into the summer with a lot of momentum."