The No. 14 Texas A&M (10-5-1, 4-2-1 in Big 12) soccer team hit the road for the final time in 2009 this weekend. And, they arrived back in College Station with mixed emotions after splitting two matches.
On Friday night, A&M shut out Iowa State (6-6-4, 1-5 in Big 12) in Ames 1-0. Junior midfielder Rachel Shipley scored the lone goal, her second game-winner of the season, on a penalty kick. The goal was Shipley's fourth of the season.
The Aggies played tough defense and controlled possession throughout as they outshot the Cyclones 28-8.
"Tonight is another shutout victory for us on the road," said Head Coach G Guerrieri. "It was a terrific defensive performance and a great attacking performance; we just didn't finish our last chances. Defensively, the whole team did very well and the back four were phenomenal. 1-0 might not be indicative of the game, but on the road, getting a win is huge."
The Aggies were able to stifle the Cyclone attack and didn't allow a shot on goal until the 78th minute.
Sophomore midfielder Katie Hamilton, junior forward Whitney Hooper and Shipley headed the Aggie offensive attack with six shots apiece.
On Sunday, the Aggies looked to move their win streak to four games, but Nebraska (9-3-4, 3-2-2 in Big 12) had other plans as they defeated A&M 2-1 in Lincoln.
Huskers' freshman forward Morgan Marlborough started the scoring in the 20th minute when her rebound caromed off the crossbar and into the net.
Shipley evened the game up in the 69th minute with her fifth goal of the season on another penalty shot that was given because of a Husker hand-ball in the box.
The Aggies continued on the attack late in the game, but couldn't capitalize on their chances.
"Hats off to Nebraska," Guerrieri said. "They out-fought us all over the field. We held possession for massive stretches of the match, but we couldn't put that last ball into the back of the net. It's a tough loss for us, but it's one that we've got to be able to learn from and understand that we're going to play against teams that are going to come in with a great deal of desire and fight. We've got to be able to out-fight and out-play them."
Marlborough scored the game-winner in the 83rd minute, her second goal of the day, after the Aggies misplayed a ball at midfield.
A&M will look to get back on track as they return to the Aggie Soccer Stadium next weekend to face Colorado and Texas Tech.
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