Though Texas A&M women’s soccer had just its first-ever faceoff against UConn, it’ll have to hope that it’s a one-time affair after the Huskies handed a 6-0 lopsided loss to the Aggies on Sunday, Sept. 15. While the UConn women’s soccer program has a prestigious history, the Maroon and White had momentum of their own, riding a three-game win streak where they kept clean sheets in all three games.
However, the Huskies reminded everyone why they were the top dogs of women’s soccer and came out goal-hunting immediately, taking two consecutive shots in the second minute. After graduate goalkeeper Grace McClellan saved both, the Aggies’ offense had two shots of their own, although UConn graduate GK Kaitlyn Mahoney saved both with little effort.
Following a series of fouls and free kicks, UConn perfectly executed its set piece after a corner kick by senior midfielder Joyce Ryder sailed over everyone’s heads and landed perfectly on the boot of senior forward Maddie Fried and finally found a home in the back of the net as Fried gave the Huskies the early lead in the 16th minute.
A&M’s heavy-shot powered offense came back right after as sophomore defender Margo Matula and senior M/D Mia Pante traded shots but came up short as a mix of Mahoney saves and off-target balls kept the Huskies in front.
While A&M’s shots landed everywhere but the back of the net, UConn picked up back-to-back goals minutes before halftime to extend its lead. Though McClellan punched a header out, senior MF Sophie McCarthy rebounded the ball and blasted it through the top of the net, tacking on the second goal.
Before the Aggies could process the goal, the Huskies came back immediately to give junior F Chioma Okafor a one-on-one situation in open field and she capitalized, beating A&M defenders to cross it to sophomore F Brooke Walonis and give them a 3-0 lead.
Unfortunately for the Aggies, halftime didn’t cool off the Huskies as the scoring onslaught continued just two minutes into the second period. Once again led by Ryder, the junior was left unmarked and with open space well beyond the box, fired a high-arching shot that bounced off the crossbar and in.
Shortly after, A&M’s defense broke down again as defenders watched a redirected ball come down in their territory while UConn sophomore M Anaya Johnson took action and pounced to take possession and ultimately get another goal for the Huskies.
In the same fashion as the first period, Mahoney anchored the Huskies defense and kept a clean sheet as she collected three saves while UConn’s defenders also held firm, blocking out shots and any last-ditch momentum from A&M.
As UConn shut down A&M’s offense completely, the Huskies put the final nail in the coffin as they scored the last goal in similar fashion as their first: Off of a corner. Junior M Abbey Merchant gave the perfect ball to McCarthy, who aimed a perfect header beyond the reach of McClellan to get her second goal of the game and finish the 6-0 thrashing of the Maroon and White.
The Aggies’ Connecticut trip ends with A&M splitting the two games as the Maroon and White head to Audrey J. Walton Soccer Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 19 to face off against Missouri.
