Guerrieri's Ags suffer back-to-back losses with 1-0 defeat in Tuscaloosa

It was a night of firsts.

Unfortunately, none of them were in Texas A&M’s favor.

On Sunday evening in Tuscaloosa, the Maroon & White (8-7, 3-4) fell to Alabama (8-3-5, 1-1-5), 1-0. The Crimson Tide garnered their first conference win off the Aggies, who have now dropped back-to-back losses for the first time this season.

Having Sydney Fuller back in goal was essential to keeping this a one-goal match. However, it was Alabama goalkeeper Ellie Lanyi who claimed her first shutout of the season.

The Crimson Tide took possession with the first attempt of the night as Kiley Kukan’s shot went out right in the third minute.

A&M retook possession as Mia Pante rounded three defenders in the eighth minute. Approaching the Alabama goal, her shot was blocked by Lanyi.

Sydney Becerra finally got in the box with her shot in the 12th minute, coming up empty as it hit the post. Shortly thereafter, a Crimson Tide deflection negated another Pante attempt.

Alabama held a strong midfield, and both teams held strong backlines throughout the night. Getting around defenders proved key to claiming goals.

A quick save in the 20th by Lanyi off the Allison Lowrey shot was the driving force for the Tide. In the 21st minute, Gianna Paul broke away from the Aggie defense, allowing her a one-on-one shot against Fuller.

This gave Alabama the 1-0 lead in the 21st minute, as Paul scored her 10th goal of the season.

The remainder of the half saw similar Aggie attempts by Becerra, Georgia Leb and Taylor Pounds.

More close calls ensued in the Aggie goal.

In the 26th minute, a Kukan shot was blocked by Carolyn Calzada, calling for a video review.

In the last 10 minutes of the half, Alabama held onto possession but repeatedly had trouble breaking through the Aggie defense.

Entering the second half at a deficit, A&M needed to come back with patience and aggressive offense.

However, a lack of offensive efforts distinguished the final 45 minutes of play.

Between the 55th and 73rd minutes, the Tide managed eight shots and four shots on goal with Fuller coming up with four saves during the 18-minute onslaught.

Though the Aggie backline held its own, breaking up multiple strings of shots, it could not regain substantial possession.

Missed opportunities by Grace Ivey and Pante vanquished any hope of an Aggie comeback.

The Tide remained vigilant to the end, exiting the match with a total of 21 shots and seven shots on goal. Comparatively, the Ags left with 12 shots and five shots on goal.

The last two minutes of play illustrated the Maroon & White’s frustration, as a yellow card on Pounds and Alabama’s Kennedy Garcia were the last efforts of the night.

G Guerrieri & Co. will return to Ellis Field on Friday to face LSU (7-7-1, 2-5).

The match is set to kick at 7 p.m. CT.