SAN DIEGO, California – The Texas A&M Aggies completed a perfect California weekend by toppling host San Diego, 2-0, Sunday afternoon at Toreros Stadium.
It was a team effort on defense with the forwards and midfield providing offensive pressure much of the match, but the Texas A&M backline of Briana Alston, Jimena Lopez, McKayla Paulson and Grace Piper smothered San Diego, holding the Toreros without a shot on goal and just five total shots on the afternoon. Cosette Morché recorded her second shutout as an Aggie.
Texas A&M (2-0) broke the scoring seal in the 12th minute on Haley Pounds’ first goal of the season. Emily Bates set up the ice breaker when she sent a cross along the top of the 18-yard box. A San Diego defender beat Mikaela Harvey to the offering, but Pounds gathered up a sloppy second touch by the Toreros and sent it into the back of the net from the arc of the box.
The slim 1-0 advantage for the Aggies at the intermission belied the flow of play in the first half. The Maroon and White owned the edge in shots (14-3), shots-on-goal (6-0) and corner kicks (5-4).
The Aggies were unlucky on at least two occasions in the first half with Mikaela Harvey hitting the post once with a missile and Addie McCain having a carom off her shot from 12 yards smothered on the goal line by Toreros’ keeper Amber Michel.
Texas A&M tacked on an insurance goal when Jimena Lopez punched a penalty kick past a diving Toreros’ keeper for her second goal of the season. The Aggies were awarded the PK when Emily Bates was taken down as she was trying to turn the corner on the left side of the box.
The Maroon and White owned wide margins on the stats sheet, including advantages in shots (23-5), shots-on-goal (12-0) and corner kicks (10-6).
The Aggies make their home debut on Saturday when Texas A&M hosts the Oregon Ducks in an 8 pm contest at Ellis field.
TEXAS A&M QUOTES
Head Coach G Guerrieri
On the match…
“It’s a good win with another shutout against a solid West Coast Conference team on the road. That’s two shutouts in a row. There was some good play all the way around for us. Our midfield was super again, led by Mikaela Harvey. All around we created a lot of chances. Their goalkeeper made some spectacular saves to keep the game close until late. Emily was really strong with her offensive move to draw the penalty in the box and Jimena (Lopez) was confident and strong with her PK.”
On moving forward…
“We’ll look to build on these two wins on the road. We’re excited about getting back to Ellis Field next Saturday against Oregon.”
On the smothering defensive play…
“When you talk about our defense, it begins with our offense. Our forwards start our defense with their pressure. The leadership that came from McKayla Paulson on the backline along with Jimena (Lopez) and Breezy (Briana Alston) becoming more comfortable in our system really makes for a strong group on defense. Cosette (Morché) really didn’t have to do much work back there in goal, but she was a really good leader.
Senior forward Haley Pounds
On her first half goal…
“Emily (Bates) did an awesome job of attacking down the line and she sent a really good ball into the midfield. Miki (Harvey) was able to guide the defender off the ball and I was able to get a good shot off with the left foot.”
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics