Big XII Soccer - Texas takes title over Texas A&M
Published 11/12/2007 5:37:09 AM by staff from
Second-seeded Texas collected goals from sophomore forward Emily Anderson and Big 12 Defensive MVP Kasey Moore and held off a late rally from top-seeded and second-ranked Texas A&M to hand the Aggies a 2-1 defeat in the finals of the Big 12 Championship Sunday (Nov. 11) at Blossom Soccer Stadium. Texas (14-3-5) wins its second consecutive Big 12 postseason title under ninth-year coach Chris Petrucelli, defeating Texas A&M (17-3-2) for the fourth time in program history and third time in the last two seasons. It marks UT’s first win over the Aggies in postseason play.
Texas junior goalkeeper Dianna Pfenninger was selected as the tournament’s Offensive MVP after registering an assist against the Aggies and scoring the deciding penalty kicks in UT’s Big 12 quarterfinal victory over Colorado and the Longhorns’ Big 12 semifinal win over Oklahoma State. After winning Defensive MVP honors in 2006, Pfenninger becomes the first player in Big 12 history to have been selected as the offensive and defensive MVP. Moore was tabbed as the tournament’s Defensive MVP.
Texas struck early in the match, just one minute 12 seconds into regulation, when Anderson headed a well-placed ball by junior midfielder Courtney Gaines from a corner kick. Anderson’s header hit the nets behind A&M sophomore goalkeeper Kristin Arnold to give the Longhorns a 1-0 lead. Texas extended its lead to 2-0 in the 57th minute when Pfenninger’s free kick from just inside midfield found Moore, who headed in a one-timer to give UT its second goal on a set piece and Pfenninger her third career assist.
Texas A&M got on the board in the 63rd minute when senior Ashlee Pistorius found Melissa Garey, who lined a shot past a diving Pfenninger to pull the Aggies within 2-1. Texas missed a golden opportunity in the 67th minute when freshman Alisha Ortiz found senior forward Kelsey Carpenter, who had beaten her nearest defender and raced unattended toward the goal. Carpenter’s right-footer inside the six-yard box beat A&M’s Arnold, but the ball rolled just to the right of the goal.
Texas A&M controlled the ball through most of the final 10 minutes and registered eight shots, but the Longhorn defense thwarted the Aggies’ attack and ensured UT’s Big 12 Championship victory over Texas A&M. Texas A&M held a distinct advantage in shots, 33-8, and corner kicks, 5-3.
Texas was whistled for 12 fouls against 11 for the Aggies. The Longhorns will gather at 7 p.m. CST on Monday, Nov. 12 for the 2007 NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship bracket on ESPNEWS. First round action will start on Friday, Nov. 16. Texas goalkeeper Dianna Pfenninger (Sugar Land, Texas) -- (10 saves, 14-3-5, 1 goal allowed) TAMU goalkeeper Kristin Arnold (2 saves, 17-3-2, 2 goals allowed) Big 12 All-Tournament Team
Goalkeeper:Dianna Pfenninger, Texas
Defenders:Kasey Moore, Texas; Amy Berend, Texas A&M; Brittany Harrison, Texas Tech
Forward:Elisabeth Jones, Texas A&M; Ashlee Pistorius, Texas A&M; Kelsey Carpenter, Texas
Offensive MVP:Dianna Pfenninger, Texas
Defensive MVP: Kasey Moore, Texas www.texassports.com
Label: Big XII soccer, Texas soccer, Texas A&M soccer, Emily Anderson, Kasey Moore , Kristin Arnold
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