Texas A&M scored early and often with sophomore Ally Watt pouring in four goals in a 7-1 SEC Tournament defeat of Missouri in Orange Beach, Alabama. The first round win marked the seventh-ranked Aggies' second over the Tigers this season after a 5-1 victory in Columbia in September.
"Anytime you hang seven on a scoreboard you can’t help but be pleased," said A&M head coach G Guerrieri. "I am really happy for Ally Watt, and it was great to see her finish those chances. I’m also extremely happy for Jenna Byers who came in and had a great game."
In the first half, the Aggies exposed the Missouri defense, scoring four goals. Watt’s first goal came in the 4th minute off an assist from Emily Bates. In the 12th minute, Addie McCain played a ball in behind the Missouri defense to Watt who slotted the ball back post for her second goal of the match.
Seven minutes later, junior defender Kendall Ritchie broke two lines of defense and assisted Ally Watt on her third goal of the match, which secured Watt’s first career hat trick and put the Aggies up 3-0. Jimena Lopez subbed into the match at the end of the first half and immediately made an impact, burying a penalty kick in the 38th minute and giving A&M a 4-0 advantage at the break.
The Aggies did not let up in the second half, continuing their scoring parade in the 47th minute when Bates and Watt connected a pass in the box and Watt scored her fourth goal of the game. At the end of the second half, Stephanie Malherbe scored a left-footed shot back post and Claudette Lassandro beat a Missouri player in the box and scored her first goal of the season.
Guerrieri was pleased with the team effort and with Texas A&M's eleventh straight win.
"I thought you could pass out a lot of game balls to a lot of different players today because there were so many people who made a huge impact," Guerrieri said. "All in all, great win for Texas A&M."
The victory sets up a semifinal match with #19 Florida on Thursday.
“We need to continue to play quickly and with composure," Guerrieri explained, looking ahead. "Florida will be a tough game. Beating them earlier in the season was a big win for us.”
