Game #1: Texas A&M 1, Baylor 1
Records: Texas A&M (0-0-1, 0-0-0), Baylor (0-0-1, 0-0-0)
Box Score
Starting stronger but needing to be sharper.
Texas A&M (0-0-1) opened its 2025 soccer season on Thursday night with a 1-1 tie vs. Baylor (0-0-1) at Ellis Field.
The Aggies outshot the Bears 18-16 but allowed a late goal as the opener ended in a draw.
“So good news is, you know, we lost this game last year, so we stepped up,” head coach G Guerrieri said. “We got a good result because of a really good goal in the beginning.
“This is one that doesn't harm us. It’s something that we can definitely get better from.”
Of course, the A&M gaffer noted that there is still work to be done as the Aggies get their legs under them later in the year.
After kickoff, both sides immediately competed hard to establish possession, with the Bears pressing hard on the Aggies.
Four minutes into the match, Tulsa transfer Leah Diaz scored the first goal of the 2025 season, with help from Kaylee Noble's assist, as the Aggies took a 1-0 lead. With Diaz’s and Noble’s teamwork, the shot was smoothly tucked into the bottom left of the goal, putting A&M in front.
“Honestly, it is an unreal feeling,” Diaz said of her moment. “It was amazing, just having my supporters and my family here. It's just amazing. I’m speechless.”
Throughout the first half, Noble, a Cal State Fullerton transfer, took advantage of her speed on the left, creating space and sending in solid chances to her fellow forwards. UNLV transfer Trinity Buchanan played spectacularly in the midfield, dropping back to help defensive and also taking charge forward. Additionally, California Baptist transfer Mia Scranton held up strong defense on the right side, protecting the box and stopping attacks on A&M's side from potential game-scoring situations.
Twenty-two minutes into the half, the Bears created their first real scoring opportunity with forward Tyler Isgrig hitting a powerful shot towards the goal, unluckily ringing it off the crossbar. The Aggies then took back control of the ball.
Baylor took on the first half with aggression towards the Aggies, Aryanna Jimison receiving two fouls in a span of three minutes, resulting in a yellow card. Answering back, A&M forward Taylor Jernigan received a yellow card as well as the rivalry match displayed the traditional physicality one might expect in the Battle of the Brazos.
Sophomore goalkeeper Sydney Fuller played a strong first half, giving up no goals and allowing A&M to finish the half leading 1-0, with no Baylor goals.
However, the defense failed to hold out forever toward the latter stages.
Without hesitation at the start of the second half, Buchanan took a top right shot, but Baylor keeper Azul Alvarez tipped it above the goal to keep the score 1-0. That save proved to be big as the Bears started within striking distance.
Twenty-five minutes into the second half, the Bears strengthened their defense, prohibiting the Aggies from getting behind their backline. Further, Baylor dominated A&M's side by thwarting any attempts. Minutes later, Jernigan almost created a scoring opportunity, with the ball tipping off her head to the right of the goal.
“I think we did a really good job," defender Hattie Patterson said. “Keeping them out the whole game except for the half second, where we’re not focused and they get in.”
With 10 minutes left, the Bears used their speed on the wings to create scoring chances, and in the 82nd minute, Lauren Omholt scored Baylor's first goal with an assist from Alysiah Lockette. The goal pierced through to the top left of the goal, tying up the score to an even 1-1.
“There's definitely some fatigue,” Patterson said. “This is also our first game, and that's only going to get better with time.”
A&M’s first chance at improvement comes on Sunday as the Aggies play Lamar at 7:30 p.m. CT.
