Aggie soccer uses early goal to win nail-biter over Arkansas, 1-0

With just three games remaining before the postseason, Texas A&M entered Friday night’s match with Arkansas right in the heart of the SEC race. When you are just a single point behind three teams, each match carries even more weight.

That in mind, the Aggies couldn't afford a loss. Especially to an Arkansas club that entered Ellis Field with a 1-6-1 record in conference. Thanks to Mikaela Harvey’s fourth minute goal and some stellar defense, A&M got just the result it needed. 

Arkansas has now dropped seven games in conference, with each loss coming by just a single goal. Following A&M’s 1-0 victory, head coach G. Guerrieri detailed what makes Arkansas such tough competitors. 

“This is the way Arkansas is,” Guerrieri said. “We knew it was going to be an ugly game. We knew they were going to man-mark all of our guys. Heck, I was man-marked for half the game. It was just going to be one of those games where it is that difficult to squirm away from people.”

The Aggies were able to capitalize early, when Harvey squared and fired from the right side of the outer box. Her line drive finished just inside the right post, inches above the keeper’s outreached hand, giving A&M a 1-0 lead just four minutes into the game.

From that point on, it was tough sledding for both offenses.

“I knew they were a great defensive team,” Said Harvey. “That’s why it was so important for us to get one early. If we didn’t, they were just going to defend us and it would have been a tie.”

It was very nearly a tie anyway, as Arkansas had a golden opportunity in the 31rd minute. After one of the games 23 fouls, Arkansas drew a free kick just past midfield. The shot came down in the middle of a pack as Mia Hummel, A&M’s keeper, came out and was unsuccessful in her attempt to corral it. After a header try, Arkansas finished the equalizer into the back of the net.

Luckily, for A&M, the Hogs were quickly called offsides, negating the goal.

“That was a huge sense of relief (when the goal was overturned), “A&M junior defender Ashlynn Harryman said of the near miss. “At that point, we realized that we just cannot let them get in that position again. Let’s keep it on our side and especially out of the 18 yard box.”

The Aggies would do that. They would also have numerous chances to score another goal themselves, but each time, the opportunity escaped them. That can wear on a team, but as Guerrieri said, it is all about the final result.

“(In a game like that) frustrations are going to happen. The good thing is, an ugly game and a win is still a win. Now we get to prepare for Sunday.”

Ole Miss comes to town on Sunday, followed by a game at Missouri next weekend. Those two teams both currently reside in SEC’s top three. So, as the regular season’s final two games approaches, the Aggies are focused on making up some ground.

Regardless of how the season has gone at times, it is all about that final result.