After a late-scoring 2-0 win against TCU, Texas A&M soccer remained at Ellis Field to take on Louisiana Tech, beating the Bulldogs in a similarly-late fashion 2-0. Graduate midfielder Taylor Pounds headlined for A&M, scoring two goals within minutes apart from each other to seal the win for the Aggies.
Right out of the gate, the Bulldogs and Aggies traded shots on goal, with each keeper forced to make a save.
A&M graduate goalkeeper Grace McClellan returned to the starting lineup for the first time this season after freshman GK Sydney Fuller came down with a minor injury following the win over TCU.
In her first start of 2024, McClellan was shot on twice and saved both. She looked confident in her communication with the defense and never appeared to feel the pressure from the Bulldogs’ offense.
“Our goalkeeping situation is solid, to be totally frank,” coach G Guerrieri said. “Every single one of our games it’s been a tough choice to figure out who was going to be the keeper who played tonight. It’s not like in the past where we’ve had a goalkeeper with 30 starts. This year, [McClellan] has a lot of experience with us, and I have two talented freshmen, they’ve all done really well and they all have different gifts they bring to the defense. It’s been a really tough choice on who is going to be the goalkeeper in any of our games.”
The Aggies’ keeper wasn’t the only one making saves tonight, as LA Tech sophomore GK Cadence Rutledge made five saves in the first half and did not allow a score until later in the second half. She finished with an astounding 12 saves on the 30 shots she received, courtesy of the A&M offense.
In the 15th minute, junior midfielder Sydney Becerra attempted a high-rising shot in the center of the box but hit the bottom of the crossbar before the referee stopped the play to review.
After the failed chance for the Maroon and White, the ball returned to the Bulldogs’ grasp as they fought to put pressure on A&M’s defense.
Louisiana Tech struggled to find opportunities on the opposite side of the field, only managing to put up one shot in the first half.
While plays kept coming its way on offense in the first half, A&M struggled to capitalize on any of their 14 shots, striking the crossbar twice with no luck.
In the second half, the Aggies kept their foot on the gas, hammering four shots at Rutledge in the first five minutes of the half.
Finally, in the 57th minute, A&M broke the scoring seal when senior defender Macy Matula crossed the ball from the left corner of the field to Pounds, heading the ball into the upper-left end of the net.
“I think scoring really upped our momentum and led to more chances,” Pounds said. “It was awesome to just get that first goal to get us going.”
Pounds was all over the Bulldogs again not even a minute later, this time receiving a through pass from junior M Georgia Leb for a one-touch shot into the bottom-left side of the goal to put A&M up 2-0.
“We’re going to go up and play against two teams that are consistent winners, that are used to winning in their conference,” coach G said. “Central Connecticut is a perennial NCAA team and winner. Mick [D’Arcy] is someone who is well-respected around the country as a coach and is going to have his team super prepared to play.”
Next, the Aggies will travel northeast to face Central Connecticut State at CCSU Soccer Field in New Britain, CT. at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12.
