Soccer: A&M makes the most of return home with shutout victory

For the Aggie soccer team, there is truly no place like home.

After a two game slide featuring tough road losses to South Carolina and Georgia, A&M had to get things turned around. Early on Friday evening, it was evident that the Ags were not leaving Ellis Field without doing just that.

Squaring off against a Mississippi State squad that has a roster full of good athletes, but a record of 3-5-3, the door was open for the Aggies to light it up. In the eleventh minute, McKayla Paulson got to work. As the Aggies pitched a 4-0 shutout, Paulson’s opening goal proved to be enough.

On a corner kick from Haley Pounds, that rode in high from right to left, Paulson emerged from the crowd, got a foot on it and finished into the left side of the net. From that point on, A&M pulled away. According to Paulson, that is exactly the start her team was looking for this game.

“We had a rough week (last week), so we really needed to make a point of showing this team we weren't messing around. We wanted to show them who the real Texas A&M is.”

If that was the message, consider it sent.

A&M was in complete control on both ends through the first half, with MSU’s best chance coming in the final minute. From near midfield, the Bulldogs launched a line drive that was just tapped over the crossbar by Mia Hummel, making her second start of the year.

“Mississippi State was able to create some chaotic moments, but I was really pleased with Mia and the defense for getting the shut out.” Head coach G. Guerrieri stated after the game. “To hold them to just one shot, with that shot being from 55 yards, that is a good performance.”

Struggling offensively, the Bulldogs began playing a more physical game.

In a span of five minutes to open the second half, Mississippi State received three yellow cards in addition to their 15 fouls for the game.. All that pushing and shoving only appeared to light a fire under the Aggies. While they kept their composure, the Ags put their foot fully on the pedal.

In the 55th minute, Brittany Crabtree took a deflection off the crossbar and slid one into the right side to double the A&M advantage to 2-0. That goal was followed by another shortly after. After a beautiful cross from the foot of Karlie Mueller, Haley Pounds stepped in and headed home A&M’s third goal.

The Aggies added one more for good measure in the 88th minute on a free kick from Karlie Mueller, that was headed in by fellow senior Janae Cousineau.

For the Ags, getting the win was important. Perhaps more impactful, however, was the spirit shown during it.

“(Last week) really did come down to effort. The Georgia game especially, the effort was not there.” Said Paulson. “That was something we needed to fix. It was an attitude thing we needed to correct and move forward.”

Now back on the right track, A&M will go against Alabama next on Sunday at 7:00 at Ellis Field.