Longhorns Triumph Over Aggies in Lone Star Showdown
AUSTIN, Texas – The anticipation surrounding the Texas and Texas A&M women’s soccer match reached a fever pitch as fans filled Mike A. Myers Stadium, eager to witness a clash that had been brewing for years. Freshman forward Amalia Villarreal seized the moment, scoring just eight minutes into the match, marking her first career game-winning goal. The Longhorns emerged victorious with a 2-0 win over the Aggies in the highly anticipated Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown.
A Fast Start
The match began with both teams vying for control, but it was Texas who struck first. Hannah Waesch, demonstrating tenacity, intercepted a pass from an Aggie forward right after a throw-in. She quickly transitioned the ball upfield to Avery Clark, who was making her second consecutive start of the season. Clark showcased her skill by maneuvering past two defenders before finding Lexi Missimo in the midfield circle.
Missimo, known for her playmaking abilities, took a single dribble before sending a precise pass to Villarreal, who was positioned 42 yards from the goal. The Michigan native displayed remarkable agility, deftly dribbling past an Aggie defender and then powering through two more. Although an Aggie defender managed to disrupt her initial advance, Villarreal quickly regained possession within the 18-yard box. With a right-footed strike, she sent the ball into the bottom-right corner of the net, putting Texas on the scoreboard.
Villarreal’s Impact
But Villarreal’s contributions didn’t stop there. Just twenty minutes later, she showcased her speed and vision once again. After outrunning her defender to collect a pass from Missimo near the Texas A&M bench, Villarreal dribbled toward the center of the pitch. As she was taken down by an Aggie defender, she managed to deliver a pass into the 18-yard box. Ashlyn Miller, who had recently scored the game-winning goal in Texas’ first-ever SEC victory, capitalized on Villarreal’s setup, deftly dribbling past the outstretched arms of the Aggie goalkeeper to double Texas’ lead.
Coach’s Praise
Head Coach Angela Kelly praised Villarreal’s performance, highlighting her ability to finish with both a goal and an assist. "She had a fantastic goal tonight. She was able to finish with a goal and an assist, which helped us big time. She’s just fantastic," Kelly remarked, emphasizing the impact of Villarreal’s contributions on the match’s outcome.
Villarreal’s Reflections
In a post-match interview, Villarreal expressed her excitement about the atmosphere at the stadium. "The environment out here tonight was amazing. I love when there are so many people out here to support us because it really helps me thrive. Personally, I know I love it. When someone gets in a good tackle or scores a goal, the place erupts, and it’s so exciting," she said, reflecting on the energy that fueled her performance.
Match Highlights and Records
The victory over Texas A&M marked a significant milestone for the Longhorns, extending their unbeaten streak to 15 consecutive home matches, tying for the second-longest streak in program history and the longest under Coach Kelly. The match also drew an impressive crowd of 3,160 fans, making it the 10th-highest attended women’s soccer match in Texas’ history. This turnout was particularly notable as it was the largest crowd since a match against then-No. 1 North Carolina in August 2022.
With this win, Texas has now claimed back-to-back victories against Texas A&M on their home turf for the first time since 2005-2006, evening the all-time record against the Aggies in Austin to 5-5-2.
Avery Clark had a standout performance as well, recording a career-high six shot attempts during her 74 minutes on the pitch. Meanwhile, senior goalkeeper Mia Justus achieved her eighth clean sheet of the season, tying for the fifth-most in the program’s single-season history. This match also marked the first time a conference opponent had shut out Texas A&M since October 2023.
Looking Ahead
As the Longhorns celebrate this significant victory, they will prepare to hit the road again for their next match against Florida in Gainesville. Scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on Friday, October 4, this matchup will be just the third meeting between the two programs, with Texas looking to build on their recent success.
For fans eager to stay updated on the team’s journey, following @TexasSoccer on social media platforms will provide the latest news and insights. General athletic updates can also be found at @TexasLonghorns.