Texas A&M has advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in three years. The Aggies face host Tennessee in Knoxville at 4PM Central time. The game will stream live on SEC Network+.
The last time Texas A&M faced Tennessee, it wasn't pretty. The Aggies gave up 4 goals in just over 6 minutes in what became the worst home loss in school history. It was a demoralizing 4-0 loss in the midst of a rough stretch of the season. However, this match comes while the Aggies are excelling and are playing some of their best soccer of the season.
If you're curious how the Aggies have bounced back in the past after suffering a multi-loss goal to an opponent. The last time they got a rematch after losing by 2+ goals was in 2015. The Aggies lost early in the season to Florida State 1-3. The lost 0-5 in the Elite Eight rematch (in the worst loss in school history)...
Ok, ok, let's focus on the last time the Aggies had the opportunity to avenge a multi-goal conference loss. In 2015 they lost to Florida 0-2 and were able to defeat the Gators in the SEC Championship 2-1. That's the bounceback we're looking for.
Now a refresher on Tennessee:
Tennessee is currently 12-5-3 on the season. They advanced to this point with tournament wins over Lousville (2-1) and Arizona (3-2). The Vols outshot Louisville 16-6 and tied Arizona in shots 16-16. Both games were decided in the final 5 minutes with the gamewinner against Louisvlle coming in the 90th.
Bunny Shaw is the all-star for the Vols. Shaw has accounted for 13 goals on the season and has 4 assists. 7 of her goals have proved to be the gamewinners. Danielle Marcano is the other name most Aggies probably remember. Marcano has 7 goals on the season and 4 assists. 2 of her 7 goals came earlier in the season at A&M.
Shaw and Marcano have thrived in the post season. Shaw was the star of the Lousville game as she scored both goals. Marcano had 2 goals against Arizona including the gamewinner in the 90th minute.
Goalkeeper Shae Yanez has allowed 13 goals on the season while making 69 saves. The Vols had 11 shutouts on the season, but haven't shut an opponent out since the Aggie game last month. They've only been shutout twice this season. One of those shutouts came at home where the Vols are 10-2 on the season.
This appearance marks the Aggies' 15th Sweet Sixteen appearance. A&M is 5-8-1 in Sweet Sixteen games. The all-time series versus Tennessee is not pretty. Tennessee is the only SEC team that the Aggies have a losing record against. A&M is 1-5 all-time against the Vols.
Despite the fluky multi-goal loss earlier this season, these two teams should be pretty evenly matched. I don't expect this game to be a shutout, especially since our backline won't be at full strength. But the Aggies should have confidence and be fired up for a big revenge game.
The last time Texas A&M faced Tennessee, it wasn't pretty. The Aggies gave up 4 goals in just over 6 minutes in what became the worst home loss in school history. It was a demoralizing 4-0 loss in the midst of a rough stretch of the season. However, this match comes while the Aggies are excelling and are playing some of their best soccer of the season.
If you're curious how the Aggies have bounced back in the past after suffering a multi-loss goal to an opponent. The last time they got a rematch after losing by 2+ goals was in 2015. The Aggies lost early in the season to Florida State 1-3. The lost 0-5 in the Elite Eight rematch (in the worst loss in school history)...
Ok, ok, let's focus on the last time the Aggies had the opportunity to avenge a multi-goal conference loss. In 2015 they lost to Florida 0-2 and were able to defeat the Gators in the SEC Championship 2-1. That's the bounceback we're looking for.
Now a refresher on Tennessee:
Tennessee is currently 12-5-3 on the season. They advanced to this point with tournament wins over Lousville (2-1) and Arizona (3-2). The Vols outshot Louisville 16-6 and tied Arizona in shots 16-16. Both games were decided in the final 5 minutes with the gamewinner against Louisvlle coming in the 90th.
Bunny Shaw is the all-star for the Vols. Shaw has accounted for 13 goals on the season and has 4 assists. 7 of her goals have proved to be the gamewinners. Danielle Marcano is the other name most Aggies probably remember. Marcano has 7 goals on the season and 4 assists. 2 of her 7 goals came earlier in the season at A&M.
Shaw and Marcano have thrived in the post season. Shaw was the star of the Lousville game as she scored both goals. Marcano had 2 goals against Arizona including the gamewinner in the 90th minute.
Goalkeeper Shae Yanez has allowed 13 goals on the season while making 69 saves. The Vols had 11 shutouts on the season, but haven't shut an opponent out since the Aggie game last month. They've only been shutout twice this season. One of those shutouts came at home where the Vols are 10-2 on the season.
This appearance marks the Aggies' 15th Sweet Sixteen appearance. A&M is 5-8-1 in Sweet Sixteen games. The all-time series versus Tennessee is not pretty. Tennessee is the only SEC team that the Aggies have a losing record against. A&M is 1-5 all-time against the Vols.
Despite the fluky multi-goal loss earlier this season, these two teams should be pretty evenly matched. I don't expect this game to be a shutout, especially since our backline won't be at full strength. But the Aggies should have confidence and be fired up for a big revenge game.
