Alabama soccer grinds out draw against No. 17 Texas A&M

The Crimson Tide plays to a 1-1 result on the road against ranked Aggies

The Alabama soccer team was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in a road SEC matchup against No. 17 Texas A&M after two overtime periods failed to separate the teams.

Another way to look at it is this was only the third time in program history that Alabama has tied a ranked opponent, with the last time being in 2014 against No. 24 South Carolina.

“I am proud of the fight we showed tonight,” Crimson Tide coach Wes Hart said. “Getting a result on the road against a Top-25 ranked team is not easy, especially at a place like Texas A&M. We will take the point and move on to the next opponent.”

The Aggies showed the most promise from the start, launching six shots and winning three corners in the opening minutes, but the Crimson Tide defense kept the game level. Alabama nearly found the back of the net in the 13th minute when Taylor Morgan’s cross found freshman midfielder Carlee Giammona, but her shot hit the cross bar.

However, the Crimson Tide ultimately found the first goal of the match in the 66th minute, after a loose ball in the box deflected off a Texas A&M defender. 

The own goal gave the Crimson Tide the late advantage, but the lead would only last until the 82th minute. A free kick from Jimena Lopez from 30 yards proved too clinical and the two teams were forced to overtime.

After two tightly contested overtime periods, the sides were forced to settle for the draw.

The Aggies (9-2-3, 3-1-1 SEC) outshot the Crimson Tide 15-10, but it was Alabama which held the advantage in corner kicks. Alabama currently tops in the SEC in corners with 109 in 13 games, an area Hart will certainly hope to find a bit more success going forward.

Freshman goalkeeper A.J. Crooks found herself getting the nod for the third consecutive SEC match, and collected six saves. 

The Crimson Tide (7-4-2, 2-2-1 SEC) returns home on Sunday to host LSU at 1 p.m.

Watch: Game highlights from Texas A&M.