Shuttleworth's Aggies suffer 5-0 loss at No. 4 Vandy

Match #9: No. 4 Vanderbilt 5, Texas A&M 0
Records: Texas A&M (4-5-0, 0-2-0), Vanderbilt (8-0-1, 1-0-1)
Box Score

Think of Texas A&M soccer as a 1,000-piece puzzle.

In the very early stages, the picture is impossible to see.

Friday night’s 5-0 loss at No. 4 Vanderbilt (8-0-1, 1-0-1) is certainly part of those early stages, when it looks like an ugly, jumbled mess.

The Aggies (4-5-0, 0-2-0) were outshot, 19-8. They had just three on target, with two of those rolling harmlessly to Commodore keeper Alexa Gianoplus. They managed only one corner kick…in the 90th minute.

Unsurprisingly, Vanderbilt’s offense was constant across both halves.

Attempting to neutralize Vandy’s elite attack, the Aggies sat back in the opening 45 minutes. Pinned deep in their defensive third, they trailed 2-0 at halftime.

Urgent out of necessity following the break, they showed their ability to find space and chances for an extended stint, but a penalty and a booking at the other end limited their opportunities in the attacking third.

Myla Ramos, TexAgs

Adelaide Paredes made eight saves on Friday night.

All that to say there are pieces for Bobby Shuttleworth & Co. to take in hopes of plugging them into a much prettier picture than was on display in Nashville’s West End on Friday.

As for the scoring, Vanderbilt received contributions from Courtney Jones and All-American Sydney Watts in the 26th and 32nd minutes, respectively, with Olivia Stafford assisting on both.

Jones completed a brace on a 65th-minute penalty kick that pushed the score to 3-0.

In the 76th minute, Lena Tusche’s screaming shot from 25 yards out made it 4-0 after A&M defender Riley Crooks was shown a red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity in the 69th minute.

Mia Hebert added the exclamation point in the 81st.

Yes, the SEC favorites dominated, but the box score won’t show how A&M stood up to the constant pressure…at least early on.

While the faster Commodores implemented their brand of short, smart passes to pin the Aggies down before the opening goals were found, the youthful Aggies held firm as A&M goalkeeper Adelaide Paredes made two early stops.

Recent results, Friday’s loss included, would indicate that something must change with eight regular-season matches remaining.

Give Shuttleworth credit, as he’s clearly searching for the combination that might spark momentum — one look at his starting XI will indicate as much.

Danny Grant, TexAgs

Ireland Churchill is one of 11 freshmen on Bobby Shuttleworth’s 2026 roster.

After shoddy goalkeeping snatched defeat from the jaws of victory a week ago, Paredes earned her first start in net. She finished with eight saves and showed plenty of toughness by staying in the game after colliding with Hebert in the 37th minute.

Paredes’ better-than-respectable play likely would’ve earned the Aggies a victory over Kentucky last week, not that it matters now.

Other lineup changes featured forwards Lucy Landherr and Ciara Jade Mitchell earning their first starts.

Often described as “naive” by their gaffer, these Aggies are learning through experience. Friday was very much trial by fire.

This burn will heal, but the perfect example of youngsters growing with each match is Ireland Churchill.

The most impressive player in a Maroon kit, the freshman from California for half of A&M’s shot attempts, including two on target.

Churchill is one of 11 freshmen on this A&M roster. She’s the most promising piece of Shuttleworth’s jigsaw, but she’s not alone.

The picture is far from clear right now.

But puzzlers know that these things take time.