Texas soccer looked to carry over some momentum after securing its first conference victory a week ago and earn its first back-to-back victories of the season. The team traveled to College Station for a conference matchup for the first time since 2009 in the Lone Star Showdown against the Texas A&M Aggies.
The rivalry matchup, however, would not go the way of the team in burnt orange, as the Longhorns narrowly fell 1-0 to the Aggies via a late second half goal, giving Texas A&M its first conference victory of the season.
While both teams looked for a fast start to the matchup, chasing the opening goal in the first 45 minutes, the scoreboard would not move in the first half between the two rivals.
The Aggies found themselves in control of the matchup in the first half, putting the Longhorns net in danger. Texas A&M registered five total shots, four of which were on target. The clearest chance to open the scoresheet came in the first two minutes of the game with a shot from freshman midfielder Lucy Landherr, with the ball clipping the goalpost and ultimately falling by the wayside without changing the scoreboard.
The Longhorns managed just one shot in the first 45 minutes of game time, from senior midfielder Olivia Ahern. The shot did not put any pressure on the Aggies goal, falling off-target.
It was déjà vu to start the second half, with the Aggies finding a clear opportunity to break the deadlock just 40 seconds in. With a cross from the left-hand side of the pitch to right outside the 18-yard box, Aggie freshman forward Holly Storer took the cross on the volley and sent the ball looping to the Longhorns’ goal. Longhorn redshirt freshman Kendell Williams made a complicated save to keep the Aggies from advancing further.
As the team putting on the most pressure throughout the game, Texas A&M would be the one to break the deadlock late in the second half from a set piece. Senior defender Bella Yakel drove a free kick into the box, leading to a touch from junior forward Kaylee Noble which allowed junior midfielder Trinity Buchanan to put the ball in the back of the net with a first-time finish.
The Longhorns were stifled in the attacking third of the field, registering nine shots on the night. Yet only one shot found the target, which came in the first half. Texas’ clearest opportunity came from a solo run from freshman forward Ava McDonald late in the second half. However, the shot would sail past the left side of the Aggies goal with no major threat.
Texas soccer won’t have much to sit with the rivalry loss, with another conference matchup quickly approaching as the Longhorns welcome in the Florida Gators at home Sunday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m.
