Match #7: No. 4 TCU 2, Texas A&M 1
Records: Texas A&M (3-1-3, 0-0-0), TCU (5-1-0, 0-0-0)
Box Score
Coming off a tie at SFA last Thursday, Texas A&M (3-1-3) dropped a rivalry match vs. No. 4 TCU (5-1) in Fort Worth Sunday evening, 2-1.
Unlike last year's 2-0 Aggie win over the Horned Frogs, this year's meeting ended in a defeat for the Maroon & White — their first of the season.
“I'm proud of the players,” head coach G Guerrieri said postgame. “I told them I was so pleased with the effort. The heart that they played with against a good team.”
Both teams showed up and showed out as A&M and TCU went straight into this competitive lineup filled with energy, toughness and a desire to score.
The Maroon & White formatted their appearance quite differently than past meetings with the Frogs, with Sydney Fuller being the only returning starter on the lineup. Every other Aggie in Sunday’s starting XI was either a transfer or a freshman.
From the start, the Horned Frogs controlled the offense, playing quick and efficient combination plays around A&M’s shape, while the Aggies dominated the defense, locking down on TCU’s offensive players. Nine minutes in, TCU appeared to have scored a goal, but the refs called it offside, leaving the score at a steady 0-0.
Twenty minutes in, a foul was awarded to TCU, giving them an opportunity at a penalty kick. Once teammates, Fuller faced forward Emma Yolinsky, with the Aggie making an incredible save diving to her right to keep the match scoreless.
The first half for TCU began with an attacking mindset, mainly using their left to attack while taking advantage of the side’s speed and ability to shoot.
However, A&M was not as lucky with shots, as the Aggies only shot twice in the first 40 minutes. The score remained unchanged going into halftime.
Entering the second half, A&M made changes to its lineup, bringing in critical players. The Aggies again came ready to battle, receiving two fouls within the span of three minutes. Meanwhile, TCU stayed collected in their shape, especially offensively.
In the 52nd minute, TCU forward Sydney Becerra scored the first goal of the game and her first goal this season. The shot tucked into the top right of the net and was assisted by Yolinsky and Seven Castain.
Not long after, a defensive mistake by TCU cost them the lead. After two attempts to score, in the 58th minute, A&M forward Leah Diaz scored to equalize the score at an even 1-1.
“A great job by Leah,” Guerrieri said. “We were talking to the players about the things that we can do to unbalance teams that want to play at a certain tempo, and it was a really great finish by Leah to get us back even in the game.”
However, A&M’s hopes of remaining unbeaten came to a halt late in the match.
In the 86th minute, AJ Hennesy’s header allowed TCU to punch the score up to 2-1.
Despite a short view review, the goal was upheld and ultimately sank the Aggies.
Facing chaos in the net, Fuller appeared composed when faced with back-to-back shots and conquered nearly every challenge thrown at her, making five saves.
In the end, she didn’t receive enough help.
“Syd was awesome,” Guerrieri said. “She did great, saved a penalty kick and made some other big saves.”
Throughout this vigorous non-conference match, A&M and TCU fought to create great chances offensively and defensively. The energy remained consistent as the rivals continued to fight.
Despite the tough loss, A&M will need to come back even stronger for Friday’s SEC opener vs. No. 15 Georgia on Friday, Sept. 12, at 7:30 p.m. CT.
“We'll get better,” Guerrieri said. “We'll be ready to start the SEC season next week.”
