Match #10: No. 7 Alabama 1, Texas A&M 0
Records: Texas A&M (4-6-0, 0-3-0), Alabama (10-1-0, 3-0-0)
Box Score
Sure, the Aggies have yet to win an SEC matchup.
But on Thursday, there were signs of progress.
Yes, Texas A&M (4-6-0, 0-3-0) was shut out 1-0 by No. 7 Alabama (10-1-0, 3-0-0) in the Aggies’ SEC home season opener, extending their losing streak to three, but there were positives beyond the final score.
Most notably, 1,269 attended the match at Ellis Field and supported A&M’s annual “Turn It Gold” game to BTHO childhood cancer.
Further, cracking the scoreboard was going to difficult against an Alabama team that now has seven clean sheets on the season.
Although it wasn't the result the Aggies wanted, the young team looked more connected, experienced and like a threat to a top-10 team.
“Overall, happy with the performance, disappointed with the result,” head coach Bobby Shuttleworth said.
A&M’s defense was aggressive and caused turnovers that allowed the Aggies to control the game, albeit not win the game.
“It's a little bit of: When it rains, it pours,” Shuttleworth said. “We do a lot of the right things for long periods of time, and then we do something that we shouldn't be doing, and they capitalize on it. That's kind of the way it's been going for us right now.”
A&M gave up the lone goal to Alabama’s Kiley Kukan in the 44th minute, allowing the Crimson Tide to take the lead 1-0 going into the half.
Alabama scored because the Aggies lacked initiative in their defense late in the first half. Freshman Ava Sexton was too far off of Kukan and allowed her to score.
“We just shot ourselves in the foot again,” the first-year head coach said. “It's a poor choice by Ava in that moment, and [Adelaide Paredes] doesn't really help her with the ball. It's just a little bit of lack of experience again.”
Shuttleworth & Co. had nearly executed a dominant first half, but they ended the opening 45 with a lapse in judgment.
“I thought the first half we did well to manage some tough moments,” head Aggie man said. “And then really carry a lot of the first half, and then turn around, and we're going down one now and a half time.”
A&M was scoreless, but not without a fight.
Although they couldn't score, freshman Ireland Churchill and senior Trinity Buchanan combined for nine shots. Making her debut this season after a season-ending injury last year, senior Taylor Jernigan accounted for A&M’s only shot on goal in the ninth minute. This was the Aggies' closest scoring opportunity.
“It's been good to have her back in the group,” Shuttleworth said. “And have her experience and physicality. I think she adds something to our forward group that we don't have.”
A lack of connectivity has been the Maroon & White’s Achilles' heel this season, and while the Ags got the connection down on Thursday, a follow through with success in the attacking third never came.
Nothing got past Alabama keeper Madi Munguia Thursday night. Although the box score read one save, she denied many other opportunities for the Aggies.
It was an intense night in College Station with A&M committing 13 fouls to Alabama’s 10. Both teams were physical, both on defense and offense.
Earlier this week, Shuttleworth said he and his staff were still evaluating who would start against Alabama, and Paredes again served as Thursday’s chosen starting keeper.
Paredes limited the Crimson Tide to just one goal, with three saves on her second start this season.
While a result eluded the Aggies, selfless service was on display as they played for a purpose in support of funding childhood cancer research.
Up next, the Ags will hope to respond against Florida on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m. CT at Ellis Field.
“We just need to move on to the next game and get ready for this weekend,” sophomore Holly Storer said.
