Texas A&M soccer completes preseason slate with 1-0 victory at SMU

On Thursday evening, Texas A&M soccer concluded its 2024 exhibition slate with a 1-0 win over SMU in Dallas. With the preseason slate in the books, the Aggies now turn their attention to the August 15 season opener at Lamar.

The following is a press release from Thomas Dick and Texas A&M Athletics:

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Macy Matula scored the lone goal in the sixth minute play as the Texas A&M soccer team prevailed over the SMU Mustangs, 1-0, in Thursday’s exhibition match at Washburne Stadium.

Sydney Becerra sent a free kick from 20 yards out into the 6-yard box where Jazmine Wilkinson headed it goalward. SMU’s keeper parried the shot away, but it fell to the feet of Matula who knocked it into the net.

Three Aggie keepers combined on the shutout with Sydney Fuller, Grace McClellan and Maysen Veronda playing approximately 30 minutes apiece. McClellan and Veronda each made a save.

Texas A&M dominated the number in the first half with the edge in shots (8-2), shots-on-goal (3-0) and corner kicks (4-0).

The Mustangs made a charge in the second half, out shooting the Aggies 10-6, but SMU was only able to get two shots on frame.

Andersen Williams was inches from converting from long distance on two occasions for the Aggies. In the first half she hit the crossbar with a banger from 20 yards and in the second half SMU keeper Haven Empey need a heroic save on another shot from outside the 18-yard box to keep the score 1-0.

The Maroon & White open the season next Thursday, Aug. 15 and host Denver for the home opener Wednesday, Aug. 21.

TEXAS A&M QUOTES
Head Coach G Guerrieri

On the match...
“This was a good preseason road test for us. SMU did a good job of giving us some problems to solve, which is exactly what we were looking for in this match.

“We continue to see some really impressive sequences of play from a number of our players. We will keep working to tidy up some unforced errors and miscues that tend to come up during the first 10 days of preseason.”

Looking ahead...
“Getting a three-hour road trip like this under our belt against a quality ACC opponent will hopefully help us as we open the regular season three hours in a different direction against a two-time conference champion and NCAA Tournament team at Lamar next week.