Photo by Brian Okosun
Texas A&M Soccer
No. 8 Texas A&M comes from behind to defeat UC Riverside, 2-1
Texas A&M Soccer ended non-conference play with a nail-biter of a game on Sunday night in their match-up against the UC Riverside Highlanders.
Before returning to SEC play, the Aggies needed to seal the win in one last non-conference game. Despite a slow start for Texas A&M and an early goal for UC Riverside, the Aggies came back to walk away with a victory. The win brought the Texas A&M season record to 7-2-0.
"Coming into this game, we said this is a must win," Haley Pounds said.
But the Highlanders were the ones to set the tone and keep the momentum in their favor for the first 60 minutes of the game.
In the 22nd minute of the match, UC Riverside sprinted down left field toward the Texas A&M goal. In an attempt to stop the Highlanders player, Ashlynn Harryman collided with her opponent and fell to the ground.
In a moment when everyone's attention was turned to Harryman, UC Riverside's Blanca Barrio crossed the ball to her teammate, Ashley Webb. Then, from 15 yards out, Webb ripped a shot and planted it into the back of Texas A&M's net.
"Riverside came out and played hard, put us under a lot of pressure, and we didn't respond well to it," Coach G. Guerrieri said.
Fortunately, the Aggies did not let the result of the first 45 minutes keep them down. They returned to the field in the second half with newfound energy.
Brian Okosun
Pounds takes a break from dominating in front of the net.
"Our mentality changed going into the second half. We came out
of the locker room fired up and we knew we needed to change the game," Grace Piper said. "Coming into the second half we were just pushing and we knew we had to put the pressure on early and try to get an early goal."
In the latter half of the game, Texas A&M maintained possession on the Highlanders' side of the field, putting relentless pressure on UC Riverside's goal. After 60 minutes of play, the momentum shifted in the Aggies' favor.
Texas A&M lined up to receive a corner kick from Pounds 15 minutes into the second half. Pounds perfectly placed the ball in front of the Highlanders' goal, giving Grace Piper the opportunity to head the ball into the back of the net in one swift movement.
Piper's goal tied the game, putting the Aggies on the board for the first time in the night.
Just over one minute later, Pounds was on the receiving end of a header from Jordan Hill. She made a break down the center of the field and found an opening on the right to take a shot from 20 yards out. She placed the ball in the lower left corner of the net, allowing the Aggies to take the lead.
"[Pounds] bleeds maroon more than anyone you'll ever come across," Guerrieri said. "She put it on the line. She was not going to let this university take a loss. Her heart and her abilities were on display."
With Pounds' one minute of quick thinking, Texas A&M was able to seal the victory.
"There are certain things that we control. The effort that we put in, the fight that we put in," Guerrieri added. "We have to bring that second half effort to every minute of every game from now on."
After a successful non-conference season, the Aggies are confidently looking ahead to their match-up against Vanderbilt on Thursday in Nashville at 7pm.
Before returning to SEC play, the Aggies needed to seal the win in one last non-conference game. Despite a slow start for Texas A&M and an early goal for UC Riverside, the Aggies came back to walk away with a victory. The win brought the Texas A&M season record to 7-2-0.
"Coming into this game, we said this is a must win," Haley Pounds said.
But the Highlanders were the ones to set the tone and keep the momentum in their favor for the first 60 minutes of the game.
In the 22nd minute of the match, UC Riverside sprinted down left field toward the Texas A&M goal. In an attempt to stop the Highlanders player, Ashlynn Harryman collided with her opponent and fell to the ground.
In a moment when everyone's attention was turned to Harryman, UC Riverside's Blanca Barrio crossed the ball to her teammate, Ashley Webb. Then, from 15 yards out, Webb ripped a shot and planted it into the back of Texas A&M's net.
"Riverside came out and played hard, put us under a lot of pressure, and we didn't respond well to it," Coach G. Guerrieri said.
Fortunately, the Aggies did not let the result of the first 45 minutes keep them down. They returned to the field in the second half with newfound energy.
Brian Okosun
Pounds takes a break from dominating in front of the net.
In the latter half of the game, Texas A&M maintained possession on the Highlanders' side of the field, putting relentless pressure on UC Riverside's goal. After 60 minutes of play, the momentum shifted in the Aggies' favor.
Texas A&M lined up to receive a corner kick from Pounds 15 minutes into the second half. Pounds perfectly placed the ball in front of the Highlanders' goal, giving Grace Piper the opportunity to head the ball into the back of the net in one swift movement.
Piper's goal tied the game, putting the Aggies on the board for the first time in the night.
Just over one minute later, Pounds was on the receiving end of a header from Jordan Hill. She made a break down the center of the field and found an opening on the right to take a shot from 20 yards out. She placed the ball in the lower left corner of the net, allowing the Aggies to take the lead.
"[Pounds] bleeds maroon more than anyone you'll ever come across," Guerrieri said. "She put it on the line. She was not going to let this university take a loss. Her heart and her abilities were on display."
With Pounds' one minute of quick thinking, Texas A&M was able to seal the victory.
"There are certain things that we control. The effort that we put in, the fight that we put in," Guerrieri added. "We have to bring that second half effort to every minute of every game from now on."
After a successful non-conference season, the Aggies are confidently looking ahead to their match-up against Vanderbilt on Thursday in Nashville at 7pm.
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