Match #2: Baylor 2, Texas A&M 1
Records: Texas A&M (1-1-0, 0-0-0), Baylor (2-0-0, 0-0-0)
Box Score
Texas A&M soccer has not had a 2-0 start since 2018.
Tonight, the Baylor Bears made sure the streak continued.
The Aggies (1-1-0, 0-0-0) were tested in Waco and fell short, 2-1.
The Bears (2-0-0, 0-0-0) dominated possession for 44 of the first 45 minutes.
Opening the scoring in the seventh, Baylor senior forward Callie Conrad netted a shot into the top-left corner of the goal, assisted by Brynnlee Bohannon and Lauren Omholt.
High press from the green and gold had the Maroon & White scrambling in the first half.
Marking the score 2-0, Baylor’s Grace White scored on a shot to the bottom-left goal, with assists by Aryanna Jimison and Theresa McCullough.
Throughout the entire game, the Aggies were outshot 19-7.
There was some disconnect between A&M’s defenders and midfielders throughout the first half, and the gaps allowed for turnovers in favor of the Bears.
Coming off the bench, freshman forward Finley Lacher subbed on in the 22nd minute for senior midfielder Bella Carapazza.
In the last minute of the half, Lacher scored her first career goal with a shot to the bottom left on an assist from sophomore defender Riley Crooks.
From the backline, the defender dribbled the ball to the top of the box and crossed it to Lacher. Controlling the ball with the first touch and then shooting it with the second, the youngster put the Aggies back into the game.
A game-changing goal by Lacher made the score 2-1 going into the half.
Freshman goalkeeper Makenna August made her second career start and played the full 90 minutes. She totaled five saves and did not allow a goal in the second half.
August made a difficult save in the 29th minute on a low bottom center shot from Jimison, keeping the score 2-1.
The second half showcased a different Aggie team.
Bobby Shuttleworth went into the game asking for more connectedness and physicality from the Aggies.
The Maroon & White responded in the second half and became more connected and direct, gaining more possession of the ball.
The backline showed an increase in pressure towards the Bears, which was a noticeable energy change.
While a loss on the scoreboard for the Aggies, growth in this young team could be seen.
“Every game that we get this group together playing another game is important,” Shuttleworth said. “The second half showed a little bit more grittiness from us, a little more determination, aggressiveness...and that's got to be the standard for us in this program. Those things are non-negotiable. With this team, if you see that, we're going to have some success.”
Next, the Aggies continue their journey on the road with a trip to San Marcos as they face Texas State on Aug. 19.
The Bobcats won 4-1 against UTRGV on Sunday.
Wednesday’s kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT.
