COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Texas A&M Aggies recorded their third consecutive shutout with a 2-0 victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini on Sunday evening at Ellis Field.
In a match that started 82 minutes late due to inclement weather, Texas A&M played stout defense to run their stretch of consecutive minutes without yielding goal to 278. The backline of Kendall Ritchie, Margaret Schmidt,Grace Piper, McKayla Paulson and Grace Wright held Illinois (2-4-0) to 10 shots, including three in the first half, and Dani Rice made four saves for her third shutout of the season and the sixth of her career.
The Aggies nearly broke the scoring seal in the 22nd minute. Emily Bates unleashed a shot from six yards that was headed for the back of the net until it hit midfielder Allison Stucky on the touchline. The carom came out to Haley Pounds who crushed a shot into a wall of defenders in the six-yard box. The final punch in the combination was sent over the goal by Grace Piper from 10 yards.
Texas A&M (4-2-0) produced the lid lifter a minute later. Piper made a sliding clearance in the center circle that headed towards the penalty box. With Pounds in hot pursuit, an Illinois defender attempted to head the ball back to goalkeeper Claire Wheatley who was late coming off the line. Pounds took advantage of the miscommunication. At the penalty spot, Pounds was able to poke the ball with her right foot over the mitts of Wheatley to the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
The Aggies went into the intermission with the 1-0 lead, outshooting Illinois 6-3 and owning a 5-2 edge in corner kicks.
Bates tacked on a goal in the 60th minute, her second goal of the weekend. At the top of the penalty box,Jordan Hill headed a ball to the feet of Haley Pounds off to the right. Pounds slipped a short pass to Bates who dribbled through the arc before unleashing a low driving left-footed shot inside the right post for the 2-0 lead.
Cienna Arrieta continued to be a menace on offense despite not logging a goal in the match. In the 32ndminute, she took a bending free kick from 22 yards out that Wheatley had punch over the crossbar. In the 59th minute, Arrieta hit the crossbar on a shot from 15 yards.
Shots were even in the match (10-10) and Texas A&M owned a 7-6 edge in corner kicks.
The victory was the 399th in program history and the Aggies will go for win No. 400 next Sunday when they host the LSU Tigers in the SEC Opener at Ellis Field.
TEXAS A&M QUOTES
Head Coach G. Guerrieri
“It’s a good win because we have had to battle against some really good teams, some tough and well-coached teams. Janet Rayfield is one of the most respected and intellectual coaches out there. That team was good enough to beat us if we don’t come out and have a solid night. I was pleased with the way Dani Rice continues to do her thing back there. But as much as anything, I’m pleased with the way she’s leading the back line. Emily Bates‘ goal was a really pretty one. The first goal by Haley Pounds was won on pure heart, being able to get to a ball that probably wasn’t even a 50-50 ball. She was able to beat the keeper to it and put it away.”
Sophomore defender Margaret Schmidt
On the defense…
“The defense’s goal is always to get a shutout, so we are really happy of course. I thought Dani Rice played one heckuva game. Illinois’ offense was really strong especially in the first five minutes, so we’re really pleased to be able to get the shutout.”
Junior forward Haley Pounds
On the goal…
“The ball was played into the box and I saw them try to head it back to the keeper. I think they had a little miscommunication that I picked up on. I was able to get my foot on it and put it in the back of the net. The coaches want me to keep pressing the defense so to get a goal off that pressing was good.”
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics