Match #13: Texas A&M 0, Oklahoma 0
Records: Texas A&M (4-5-4, 1-4-1), Oklahoma (9-3-2, 2-3-1)
Box Score
The desire to win, but the need to finish
Coming off a rivalry win vs. Texas on Thursday, Texas A&M (4-5-4, 1-4-1) played Oklahoma (9-3-2, 2-3-1) to a scoreless draw on Sunday afternoon in Norman.
The Aggies came into this away game extremely energized and optimistic, but they still kept their composure as the Sooners attacked hard from the beginning. With Oklahoma tied for the SEC lead with 32 goals this season, the Sooners kept A&M’s defense on its feet.
“We've been able to keep people in check, and that's because of the quality of individuals out there, but also the way they've worked together,” A&M head coach G Guerrieri said postgame.
Within the first ten minutes, A&M made a defensive adjustment to the lineup with the first round of substitutions.
The Sooners dominated offensively, trying to get as many shots off as they could. To counter, A&M started creating more movement within the midfield. Trinity Buchanan was the glue in the midfield, helping connect those tactical plays with her teammates in an attempt to get the ball up the pitch.
Oklahoma controlled the ball throughout the first half of the game.
With the Sooners constantly taking the ball up the field and pressing A&M’s back line intensely, goalkeeper Maysen Veranda made a critical impact in her team's defense. Her performance was strong, as the Sooners outshot the Aggies 8-2 in the first half.
In the 40th minute, forward Shea Ryan created an opportunity for the Aggies by shooting it towards the goal, but with no luck as Oklahoma keeper Caroline Duffy made a huge save.
Scoreless at the break, the Aggies took a more defensive approach to the second half by keeping most of their players back to help keep their defensive shape.
“Having to play against a team that is so stylistically different from us is always a challenge,” Guerrieri said. “Really happy with the week, with four points for the week.”
Substitutions became a common thread throughout the entire match, and these incoming players made key differences by getting their teams closer to playing successful offense.
In the 71st minute, forward Savannah Hutchins shot the ball bottom right, only to be stopped by Duffy.
Oklahoma forward Alexis Washington made a starring appearance in the Sooner offense, taking seven of OU’s nine corners.
In the 73rd minute, Oklahoma was outshooting A&M, 12-7, with three requiring saves from Veronda.
With under six minutes left, the match was still scoreless. However, both teams played hard to change the score.
In the 88th minute, Kayla Keefer took on Veronda at the goal, just to be called offside. One minute later, Washington made a dangerous play, shooting it just top of the left of the goal.
That served as Oklahoma’s last gasp as A&M left Norman with a point.
“We get a couple days to recover from this really physical weekend,” Guerrieri said. “And get ready to have another physical game in Baton Rouge against a really well-coached team that is playing well this season.”
The Maroon & White will be on the road again this Friday at LSU. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT.
