Becerra's deceptive strike propels A&M to SEC Tournament semifinals

Press conference video courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics.

Not done yet.

In the SEC Tournament Quarterfinals, Texas A&M soccer got revenge on South Carolina with a 1-0 win in Pensacola, Florida, on Tuesday afternoon. This massive Aggie win comes a little over a week after the Gamecocks defeated the A&M 1-0 at Ellis Field.

“Grit is a great word to describe this game,” Sydney Becerra said. “I mean, we’ve talked about it in meetings before about just the mental side of everything as well as the physical side, and we really just pushed and preserved today.”

Tuesday’s victory pushes the Maroon & White ever closer to solidifying its place in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, but first, the Aggies hope to continue adding to their resume in the next round in Pensacola.

It took over 50 percent of the first half for A&M and South Carolina to finally start making moves on the pitch.

A #14 on #14 foul resulted in a 33rd-minute yellow card on Carissa Boeckmann as she dragged South Carolina’s Brianna Behm down near midfield.

The Gamecocks’ leading goal scorer, Catherine Barry, was later booked in the 36th minute for a late challenge on Boeckmann.

In the 38h minute, Heathr Hinz – the SEC’s Goalkeeper of the Year – denied MaKhiya McDonald in what was A&M’s first shot on frame of the match.

“They’re such a hard team to break down,” head coach G Guerrieri said.

Another Aggie opportunity arose a few minutes later when Jazmine Wilkinson went horizontal with the turf to try and redirect Adysen Armenta’s cross into South Carolina’s net in the 44th minute.

“I just think that we came out with so much power and passion,” A&M goalkeeper Kenna Caldwell said. “Coming into this game, it was like do or die. Everyone just wanted to put everything on the line to make sure we could finish it off.”

Eventually, they did.

Only making five appearances to date, Lauren Geczik subbed in for McDonald in the 73rd minute as the co-captain made a quick impact two minutes later with a lofted cross into Grace Ivey, who was in the Gamecocks’ box.

With the momentum shifting toward the Maroon & White, Becerra stole the ball from Hollyn Torres and dribbled into the box. Taking a pause, Becerra shot the ball off the left post, where it deflected into the back of the net in the 79th minute.

“Oh, it meant the world to me,” Becerra said. “I guess it was a big goal, so it felt really good to just see it go in the back of the net.”

With a slim 1-0 lead, A&M’s defense held firm for what was an absolute must-win.

Becerra’s heroics have the Aggies alive and well in the SEC Tournament.

A&M will face Georgia in an SEC Tournament Semifinal on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m. CT.

Another win on the Florida beaches would all but seal A&M’s ticket to the big dance.