By Branson Hardcastle | Reporter
Baylor’s men’s club soccer team played Texas A&M Friday in Waco in a game that ended in a 1-1 draw.
The game was physical, but didn’t have many fouls called. Baylor’s defense played exceptionally as they held the high-powered Texas A&M offense to just one goal, compared to their average of four goals.
The Aggies managed to get eight shots on goal, with Duluth, Ga. sophomore goalie Braden Howie managing to stop all but one. The lone goal the Aggies scored came on a free kick from mid-field in the 38th minute. During the play, Howie tripped on another teammate, which allowed a free shot on the goal for the Aggies.
Coppell senior and co-captain Collin McAden said he believes Howie’s success is because of his work ethic.
“Braden is such a hard worker. They couldn’t get past him and they shot a lot tonight,” McAden said. “He showed up at six o’clock today and asked me for the balls. He wanted to get a really good workout in before the game. He played the game of his life.”
Baylor’s goal came in the 68th minute off of a rebound by Burr Ridge, Ill., sophomore striker Christopher Metcalf. Baylor also managed eight shots on goal, but it took 23 minutes in the second half for them to find the back of the net.
“Our coach always said we need someone there to clean up. I knew how to act after it was back in the box and I just did what I usually do as a striker and stuck my head on it and it went in,” Metcalf said.
In the 82nd minute, McAden set up a free kick just outside the box and placed the ball in the upper left corner of the goal, giving the Aggie goalie no chance. The whole team celebrated until the referee called the goal back. The free kick was actually an indirect kick, which means that more than one person had to touch the ball before a goal could be scored. Instead of Baylor leading the Aggies 2-1, the game was still tied and Baylor lost all their momentum.
Even though the game ended in a 1-1 draw, McAden said he believes this was one of the best games Baylor has played all season.
“[Texas] A&M is always a great team. That was the best game we have ever played. We played fast and played for each other and trusted everyone on the field that they would be in the correct position,” McAden said. “We can lock down defensively, but we have a difficult time scoring. Today we put so many [shots] out there that we had to score.”
McAden said he believes if they play with the same intensity and focus then can win the next game. They have been preaching teamwork and trust all season, and if they continue to do those things they should come away with a victory over the weekend.
Baylor plays at 1 p.m. Saturday against the University of Texas at Arlington in Arlington.
