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Photo by Matt Sachs, TexAgs
Texas A&M Soccer

No. 8 Texas A&M soccer cruises to victory over Rice, 4-1

August 21, 2016
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Following a loss to the No. 1 Florida State Seminoles on Friday night, the Texas A&M Women’s soccer team continued their non-conference schedule, taking on the Rice Owls on a rain soaked Ellis Field on Sunday night.  

The rain seemed to power the Owls as they jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead.  Texas A&M struggled early to find their rhythm offensively.  As the first half went on, both teams found themselves exchanging fouls and possession, with neither team being able to establish any offensive momentum.

As the rain tapered off toward the end of the first half, the Aggies seemed to find some offensive breaks.  With just under five minutes remaining in the first half, Haley Pounds sent a beautiful shot in from 20 yards off of a free kick, knotting the game at one goal apiece.

The Aggies didn’t look back after that, and Pounds wasn’t finished either.

Shortly after the second half kicked off, Rice fouled A&M in the box resulting in a penalty kick for the Aggies.  Pounds lined up to take the shot and easily put it past the Rice goalkeeper.

Matt Sachs, TexAgs Haley Pounds was not phased by the rain on Sunday as she recorded her second career hat trick.
Texas A&M began to dominate the possessions as the game wore on, finishing with 12 shots on goal compared to Rice’s one.  Haley Pounds and Mikaela Harvey commanded the middle of the field.  As the game developed, Texas A&M’s ball control seemed to get stronger and Coach Guerrieri was pleased to see that development.  

“In general we got stronger as the game went on,” said A&M head Coach G Guerrieri, “that was one of the things I was most pleased about.”

Rice was done at this point as the Aggies continued their relentless attack during the second half.  In the 83rd minute Pounds sent a corner into the box that was met by freshman Cienna Arrieta, who sent a strong header past the Rice goal keeper to put the Aggies up by two goals.  

Arrieta has come on well for the Aggies, logging significant playing time in both games so far.  The header was her first goal as an Aggie, and Arrieta and all of the freshman seem to be fitting in just fine.

Just minutes after jumping to a commanding two-goal lead, Mikaela Harvey sent a pass to Haley Pounds who drilled a shot through the Rice goalkeepers mitts, putting the Aggies up 4-1.  The goal not only further asserted A&M’s dominance Sunday night, but also gave Haley Pounds her second career hat trick as an Aggie.

“It is very exciting and I am just very thankful that I was able to get a few opportunities to score tonight,” Pounds said about her hat trick, ”It gives us a lot of confidence heading into the game with UCLA this week.”

The Aggies return to action on Friday, August 26, at 7:30 PM as the UCLA Bruins come to town for the annual Fish Camp game at Ellis Field.

 
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