It was a disappointing showing, to say the least.
Texas A&M (7-5, 2-2) dropped its first SEC edition of the “Lone Star Showdown,” falling to Texas in Austin on Sunday night, 2-0.
The Longhorns (9-1-2, 2-1-1) quickly set the tone of the match.
With their first opportunity in the sixth minute, Longhorn forward Avery Clark’s header was caught by freshman goalkeeper Sydney Fuller.
The home team kept their feet on the gas, with their first goal of the night coming in the ninth minute as freshman forward Amalia Villarreal capitalized off the Aggies’ seemingly meek defense. After squeezing through the backline, Fuller’s attempt to block left the goal wide-open awaiting Villarreal’s shot.
The Ag’s first attempt of the night came in the 21st minute with a shot on goal by sophomore forward Taylor Jernigan. However, the shot — taken from a distance — was easily blocked by senior goalkeeper Mia Justus.
Following missed attempts by Clark and midfielder Lexi Missimo, the Longhorns extended their lead in the 28th minute off another A&M defensive error.
Yet again, Fuller’s attempt to block the Longhorn approach was thwarted. Senior midfielder Ashlyn Miller seamlessly stepped around the attempt and shot into another open goal, bringing the Longhorn lead to 2-0.
Leah Pirro and Jazmine Wilkinson continued the long game in the 30th and 34th minutes, as their outside-the-box shots were unable to get past the Texas backline.
A lucky break for A&M came in the 41st minute as another attempt by Villarreal was sent to the woodwork. That was the only thing blocking another Longhorn goal.
Leaving the half trailing 2-0, A&M only managed four shots, including three shots on goal. Though only allowing seven shots and three shots on goal by Texas, the Ags were unsuccessful in the box — both offensively and defensively.
In order to breach the Longhorn’s backline and overcome Villarreal, the Maroon & White needed to be more dynamic and aggressive.
But it was too little, too late.
A&M entered the half with stronger footing. In the 47th minute, a Grace Ivey shot was blocked by a Texas handball. The subsequent free kick, taken by junior midfielder Sydney Becerra, was sent off target and wide right.
Along with this, the Maroon & White defense grew tighter, sending multiple attempts by Clark wide.
Fuller’s diving save in the 68th minute highlighted this defensive effort. After tipping out a shot by graduate defender Madison Haugen, the Longhorns failed to capitalize off the corner kick.
Throughout the second half, the Aggies only mustered two shots on goal. These attempts, by Becerra and midfielder Kate Colvin, were easily caught in the box.
On Sunday night, the match ended in a staggering, 2-0 loss.
The missing piece? The Ags still couldn’t find a way around the Longhorn’s in-box defense.
Hoping to regain momentum, G Guerrieri & Co. will travel to Ole Miss (5-8, 0-4) for a Friday match that will kick at 7 p.m. CT.
