Noble nets A&M's first hat trick since 2023 in 7-1 thrashing of Lafayette
Match #5: Texas A&M 7, Lafayette 1
Records: Texas A&M (3-0-2), Lafayette (1-2-2)
Box Score
Intensity Rises.
Attack Dominates.
Texas A&M Wins.
The Aggies (3-0-2) took down Lafayette (1-1-2) on Sunday evening at Ellis Field with a lopsided 7-1 victory. A&M started the match in a 4-3-3 format, with the Leopards taking on that shape as well.
Off the bat, the Leopards came in quick and tough, pressing the Aggies' back four extremely hard. Seamlessly, the Aggies matched their opponents' energy, constantly attacking and looking to take the ball upwards towards the goal.
In the 11th minute, the trio of Leah Diaz, Trinity Buchanan and Taylor Jernigan created a successful wall pass combination, allowing Jernigan to score the first goal of the evening's match.
Two minutes later, forward Kaylee Noble fiercely attacked the goal, smoothly putting the ball in the bottom right of the goal to put A&M up 2-0.
Not even a minute later, Jernigan assisted on the third goal of the game as Diaz struck the ball to the top right of the goal to give the Aggies a 3-0 lead.
From the start, Buchanan made a notable appearance in the midfield and for A&M's attack. She took several shots, crosses and contributed to the team's display not only offensively, but defensively.
With the Maroon & White’s outstanding teamwork, Mia Scranton and Buchanan assisted Noble's second goal of the game, rolling a shot into the bottom right of the goal for a 4-0 edge.
After Noble’s second, the Leopards responded aggressively, using their goalie as a base of support while attempting to keep the Aggies away from their goal.
In the 33rd minute, Lafayette turned their attack around with major help from their substituting players. Goalkeeper Catherine Apker took a free kick off a foul, and Katrina Santelli's header went right above Maysen Veronda to make it 4-1.
Despite the Aggies giving up a goal, A&M’s offense ruled the night.
“It was unbelievable," Noble said. “I loved it so much. Even though we were up four goals, we stuck to the game plan, and we dominated it.”
As the Aggies took the lead into the second half, the Lafayette defense maintained its shape to prevent any offensive plays on their side of the field.
However, with A&M’s speed on the right side, Noble took her speed and skill down the line, crossing it into the box, where freshman Holly Storer was perfectly positioned for a shot, and with one touch, the ball ended up in the bottom left of the goal. With her first collegiate goal, Storer gave A&M a 5-1 lead in the 48th minute.
“I was really happy to finally get to score this season,” Storer said. “I was just super excited to celebrate with all my teammates.”
In the 54th minute, hardly five minutes later, Noble scored her third goal of the game off an assist from Kat Campbell. It marked Noble’s first hat trick with the Maroon & White.
Further, Noble became the first Aggie to have a hat trick since Jazmine Wilkinson in 2023, and it marked the first Aggie hat trick in Ellis Field since Haley Pounds in 2016.
“It feels amazing,” Noble said. “I am so, so blessed and thankful. It was great.”
More than halfway through the second half, Storer added her second goal of the night with an assist from Diaz in the 65th minute as the lead swelled to 7-1.
In the 71st minute, Lafayette goalkeeper Maddie Miniutti made an incredible save, stopping Leah Pirro from adding an eighth goal.
The offensive intensity throughout Sunday’s match was at an all-time high, and despite the Aggies being up six goals, they continued to battle.
They’ll carry momentum into their upcoming non-conference fixtures.
“I think confidence,” head coach G Guerrieri said. “I think more confidence in our ability to put the ball in the back of the net, more confidence in our ability to keep it and move the ball quickly.”
A&M will make its way to Nacogdoches to play Stephen F. Austin on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. CT.
