 "Photo: Rob Strong")
COLLEGE STATION - Friday's atmosphere could be compared to a heavyweight prizefight.
No more than 15 feet from the playing surface sat a record 5,300 fans cheering, chanting and screaming at every move made by the Texas Longhorns (3-2, 0-1) and the Texas A&M Aggies (3-2, 1-0). Many spectators were forced to sit on the ground due to the lack of bleacher space.
The electric atmosphere fueled the two soccer teams into a very physical match. Both sides pushed, elbowed and did whatever it took to gain an advantage on the ball.
Despite scoring first, Texas was unable to maintain its early advantage. Texas A&M used three second-half goals to defeat the Longhorns 3-1. With the loss, Texas now trails Texas A&M 1-0 in the Lone Star Showdown rivalry series.
"We need to continue moving forward and keep improving," Texas sophomore midfielder Amy Burlingham said. "[The loss] will definitely keep us focused."
The only goal of the first half came within eight minutes of kickoff. Nikki Thaden put a Texas free kick inside the penalty box, which was then headed by Kelly McDonald. The ball deflected off an A&M player and found a wide-open Burlingham who beat goalie Kati Jo Spisak from about 10 yards out to give the Longhorns a 1-0 lead.
Texas kept the momentum from the early goal going and countered an A&M attack with one of its own. Kelsey Carpenter sprinted up the far side and came within inches of giving her team a 2-0 advantage but drilled an ear-rattling shot off the post.
In the second half, both teams became more physical. The Aggies and Longhorns combined for 15 total fouls, two yellow cards and many more plays that could have been whistled.
Texas A&M came out firing at the goal early in the second period. Beginning with a free kick a few feet outside the penalty box on the near side, the Aggies reeled off three scoring chances within the first five minutes but were unable to capitalize. The Longhorns countered the attack when Burlingham intercepted a pass at midfield. She dribbled inside the penalty box, but before she was able to take a shot, an Aggie defender used a slide tackle to take her to the ground. After the defensive play, the momentum seemed to shift to the A&M side.
The Aggies earned their first goal 10 minutes into the second half. Laura Probst provided the equalizer in the form of a bending corner kick through the crowd of players and into the net.
The eventual game-winning goal came 10 minutes after the first Aggie score. Freshman Ashlee Pistorius took a pass from Becky Olson and chipped a shot over the outstretched arms of Texas goalie Dana Hall for her first career score.
Probst striked again later to post her first four-point game of the season. After dribbling the ball from midfield, she sent a left-footed line drive into the top right corner of the Texas goal to up the Aggie lead to 3-1.
Although much of the match was played in A&M territory, Texas was unable to create quality scoring opportunities. The Aggie defense clamped down and was very physical with the Texas forwards. The backline neutralized the speed of the Longhorns.
"We didn't create enough chances," Texas head coach Chris Petrucelli said. "You can't ever be satisfied when you give up three goals."
The loss puts Texas at an early disadvantage in the conference standings, but there is still a long way to go in the season. Although the Longhorns' next Big 12 match is not for another two weeks, Texas has two nonconference games in that time span. The first of these is Friday when the Longhorns host the Tulane Green Wave at Mike A. Myers Track and Soccer Stadium.
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