No. 9 Aggie soccer defeats BYU, Morche notches third straight shutout

The No. 9 Texas A&M women’s soccer team (3-0-0) defeated BYU (1-1-1) 2-0 in their home-opener in front of 4,284 fans in the annual Fish Camp game.

Though the Aggies managed to come out on top, it certainly wasn’t a one-sided affair. The Aggies employed a 3-5-2 formation — the same that they used in their first two wins — however, having just three defenders in the back proved to be a bit shakier than in the first two contests.

“I think we’re still getting used to playing together,” A&M goalie Cosette Morche said. “We put three in the back and a lot of opponents see that and they match us up number-wise.”

Elisabeth Schmitt, TexAgs

Forward Ally Watt would score the final goal of the game, off a pass from Cienna Arrieta.

In her first game back after missing the first two matches playing for the Mexican National Team in the U20 World Cup in France, Jimena Lopez entered the game in the 24th minute. She then notched her first goal of the season in the 41st minute off of a pass across the box from midfielder Rheagan Smith.

A&M head coach G Guerrieri was pleased with the performances of the players who came off the bench for the Aggies. Guerrieri played 17 different players in the match.

“When we made substitutions there was no drop-off, so the depth of the team really showed up tonight,” Guerrieri said. “Usually, when we made a substitution the players stepped in and actually picked up the game.”

The Aggies went into the wind in the second half and struggled to connect passes in the attacking third. Conversely, BYU found some success on the attack, penetrating with numbers and keeping the A&M backline on their heels.

Morche had to make just two saves in the first two matches but was peppered by BYU — especially in the second half — racking up five saves on 19 shots in the match.

“The best games are when you don’t have action in the back. It’s nice to have some action though, I missed it,” Morche said. “I’m glad the way that we pushed through and ultimately came out with a shutout.”

Her most notable save of the match came midway through the second half when a BYU attacker slipped past the defense and had a 1-on-1 opportunity on goal. Morche was able to get two hands on the ball.

“Thankfully I was in the right position and was able to make the save at an angle,” Morche said. “I just cut down the angle and she hit it super hard and it hit off my hands and it carried off my hands.”

The Aggies were able to score the second and final goal of the match, as Cienna Arrieta made a short pass to Ally Watt who struck it from 30 yards out just out of the keeper’s reach in the 87th minute.

“It’s the talent that we have on this team where we can take a game that’s really close and we’re having to do a lot of defending and they can change and turn the game on the dime like that,” Guerrieri said.

The maroon and white return to Ellis Field on Sunday as they host San Diego at 6:30 p.m.