Texas A&M soccer downs SMU in Sunday exhibition at Ellis Field, 2-0
With game time temperatures in triple digits, Texas A&M soccer earned a win in its first exhibition match by defeating SMU, 2-0.
“It was a hundred and something degrees at kickoff, and I thought that the team came out and performed well,” head coach G Guerrieri said.
Inside of the first minute, recent transfer forward Sammy Smith had a near breakaway from the Mustangs' backline. The press of the Maroon & White continued throughout the first half as forward Mia Pante serviced five corner kicks in SMU territory.
SMU had just one shot on goal stopped by Aggie goalkeeper Kenna Caldwell.
In the 22nd minute, forward Maile Hayes struck the ball into the bottom right corner of SMU’s goal to open the scoring. Totaling seven assists last season, Pante added another on Hayes’ goal.
“It was just nice getting comfortable playing with especially our new people in a different kind of role and position than I'm used to playing,” Hayes said.
The first corner for SMU was given up by defender Quinn Cornog in the 60th minute, but it didn’t phase transfer keeper Grace McClellan, who made her Maroon & White debut at the beginning of the second half.
“A shutout is a good way to end our first week,” Guerrieri said. “We've only been here really for five days of training.”
Forward Jazmine Wilkinson scored A&M’s second goal with a shot off a volley set up by midfielder Georgia Leb in the 76th minute.
“I remember Phil (Stephenson) just saying in the locker room at half time to just like just like make sure like if the ball goes anywhere just pretend like it’s coming to your feet no matter what,” Wilkinson said. “So, I was just ready there for it to come to me just in case, and it did, so it was perfect.”
The Aggies next play in their second and final exhibition match against Texas State on Friday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. CT.
“Steve Holeman is a good coach, and he's going to have his team well prepared, so that'll be another super test for us,” Guerrieri said.