Texas A&M soccer drops opening game at SEC Tournament for first time ever

ORANGE BEACH, Alabama – The No. 13 Texas A&M Aggies dropped a 2-1 decision to the No. 17 South Carolina Gamecocks in SEC Tournament quarterfinal action Tuesday at Orange Beach Sports Complex.

Things looked good for Texas A&M when Emily Bates scored in the 18th minute, the first first-half goal of the season surrendered by the Gamecocks. The momentum was quelled just 63 seconds later when South Carolina earned a penalty kick and Lauren Chang converted for an equalizer.

The Gamecocks scored the winning goal in the 53rd minute with Luciana Zullo’s second goal of the year.

Ally Watt missed out on two golden scoring opportunities, hitting the right post from 12 yards out in the 25^th minute for a potential go-ahead goal and sending a free kick just inches wide of the right post from 19 yards out on a potential equalizer late in the second stanza.

Texas A&M owned the edge in shots, 12-9, and corner kicks, 6-3, but South Carolina held the 4-2 edge in shots-on-goal.

It marked the first time the Aggies exited the SEC Tournament after playing just one match. The Maroon & White are now 0-4 all-time at the SEC Tournament when giving up multiple goals.

Texas A&M fell to 15-4-1 on the season while South Carolina improved to 13-4-1.

GOAL SUMMARY

18’ – Jordan Hill sent a long ball into the penalty box. A clearance attempt by the Gamecocks’ backline rolled out to a charging Bates who sent in a missile from 23 yards for her fourth goal of the season. A&M 1, SC 0.

19’ – South Carolina was awarded a penalty kick when Simone Wark was taken down on the left side of the penalty boxk. Chang was successful on the kick for her seventh goal of the season. A&M 1, SC 1.

53’ – Wark worked the ball to the endline on the right side of the penalty box. She served a cross near the spot where Luciana Zullo beat one defender and sent a ball past the keeper for the game-winner. A&M 2, SC 1.

UP NEXT

The Aggies will await word on an NCAA Division I Championship bid. The announcements will be made Monday, November 5 with the selection show slated for 3:30 p.m.