Lone Star derby set for Sunday as Texas A&M meets Texas in Austin
Ninety miles.
The only thing separating the Ags from hostile territory.
On Sunday, Texas A&M will breach the divide for 90 minutes against Texas for the first SEC soccer rendition of the Lone Star Showdown.
The Aggies (7-4, 2-1) will face the rival Longhorns (8-1-2, 1-1-1) at Mike Meyers Stadium in Austin with a new edge as play kicks at 6 p.m. CT.
“Going into Texas on Sunday is going into hostile territory,” head coach G Guerrieri said. “Anytime you play against them, it's a derby match, so you can throw out a lot of that stuff as far as rankings or anything else because there's so many other things that are on the line when you have Aggies and Longhorns squaring off, no matter what the sport is.
“I know our players are looking forward to it. I'm sure their players are looking forward to it.”
Guerrieri & Co. have voiced many recurrent qualms throughout the season; with difficulties finishing, taking advantage of tap-ins and fluid passing taking the forefront.
All were abated in a Thursday evening drubbing of No. 8 Auburn.
The Ags — decidedly the underdog — left Ellis with a 4-1 win as the Tigers struggled to keep up with their aggressive and fluid play style.
“I think we just decided to play as a team, connect as a team,” senior defender Macy Matula said. “We knew we had so much potential. It's been frustrating not being able to finish our chances. We just decided to play simple, play as a team, and I think it worked really well for us.”
Just three days later, the Aggies begin their fifth week of doubleheaders.
And it won’t be easy.
Sunday’s match will likely be a nail-biter as the Longhorns — previously ranked No. 11 by the United Soccer Coaches poll — enter the slate with a senior-laden, championship-caliber team.
“[Texas is a] team that won the Big 12 last year,” Guerrieri said. “You have some of the highest ranked players that were going to be in the NWSL draft this coming year if the draft had gone on.
“They all stuck around to try to win a championship here in the SEC, so that's a lot on them. There's a lot of eyes that are being put on those guys this year to come in and win a championship for Texas.”
The Longhorn lineup is jam packed with talent. From highly-decorated midfielders Jilly Shimkin and Lexi Missimo all the way through the roster.
Texas goalkeeper senior Mia Justus garnered shutouts in seven of their eight wins this year.
Similarly, A&M boasts six shutouts in their seven wins.
However, the Aggies have a stronger goal line, with all three of their keepers — Maysen Veronda, Sydney Fuller and Grace McClellan — claiming shutouts.
“I could mention the whole lineup. They're all really talented,” Guerrieri said of Texas. “I think that they would say the same thing about so many of our players too, and I think (Texas head coach Angela Kelly) has just done a great job of collecting that roster.”
Staying on their toes and keeping a secure defense will be critical to the Ags strategy.
Missimo enters Sunday with seven of the Longhorns’ 25 goals. On the other hand, the Ags have scored 22 goals with five courtesy of Sydney Becerra.
The main difference between the two can be seen in the concessions. The Longhorns excel at minimizing opponent chances, only allowing seven goals on 87 attempts.
The Maroon & White have allowed 13 goals from 95 attempts.
“This rivalry means a lot, and I think with (Texas) being new to the SEC, we need to show them what it's about,” Taylor Pounds said. “Hopefully, we pull off the win. We're super excited.”
But even more so, this match is personal.
As the two flagship universities in the state, players on either side hold ties close to home, with many facing off in the past.
“For us, it's always been a great game because these are kids who grew up playing against each other,” Guerrieri said. “These are kids who grew up knowing each other, oftentimes teammates, oftentimes playing against each other in the same leagues, same tournaments, same big national events and national teams together.”
As Pounds said, it’s time to show Texas what the SEC is all about.
So pack your bags and head 90 miles west for the first soccer match of the revitalized Lone Star Showdown.