Ally Watt scores twice, leads Texas A&M to victory over rival Arkansas

The No. 23 ranked Texas A&M soccer team was back in action at Ellis Field Friday as they hosted conference rival Arkansas. The Aggies continued their impressive run of play, defeating the Razorbacks, 2-1 bringing their winning streak to three games.

The game got off to a fast and furious start shortly after kick off. Within the first minute of play, Arkansas already had a shot on goal. After keeper Cosette Morche got the ball back in play, A&M quickly went on the counter and sophomore forward Ally Watt found the back of the net in the second minute. The goal was set up thanks to nice passes from Haley Pounds and Emily Bates.

The Aggie defense and Morche held strong throughout the first half. The Razorbacks were able to get three shots on goal in the opening 45 minutes, but Morche stopped them all and A&M took the 1-0 lead into the break.

It didn't take the Aggies long to get on the attack in the second half either. In the 48th minute the Aggies sent a free kick from near midfield into the 6-yard box. Arkansas tried to head the ball to safety but it found the feet of Watt. After corralling the rebound, Watt hit a screamer inside the far post for her second goal of the night and fourth goal of the season to give the Aggies a 2-0 lead.

The Razorbacks got on the board late thanks to miscommunication within the A&M defense. In the 71st minute, senior midfielder Katie Kienstra scored to cut the A&M lead in half with under 20 minutes to play.

The Aggies made the one goal lead stand late as they took home their third straight SEC victory.

"A couple of big performances, obviously Ally Watt with the two goals was fantastic," said head coach G Guerrieri after the match. He added, "Mikaela Harvey kind of put it all together for us in the middle of the park. A great performance and really showed what senior leadership looks like."

The Aggies will return to action on Monday night at Ellis Field for a non-conference matchup with Utah Valley before the Alabama Crimson Tide come to town on Thursday.