Texas A&M Soccer Faces No. 7 Alabama in Turn It Gold Match

The Texas A&M soccer team will host the No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide on Thursday at 7 p.m. as part of its annual Turn It Gold Match. Fans can donate at 12thMan.com/turnitgold to support the cause. The Aggies hold a historical advantage in the series, leading 9-5-2 against Alabama.

This season, Texas A&M has shown improvement offensively, scoring 18 goals in nine matches and averaging 2.0 goals per game. By comparison, the team managed only 17 goals over an entire 17-match slate last season. The Aggies are also seeing increased offensive activity, averaging 3.3 more shots, 3.0 more shots-on-goal, and 0.2 more corner kicks per match compared to the previous year.

Freshmen Ireland Churchill and Finley Lacher have been significant contributors, with Churchill scoring seven goals and assisting two for a total of 16 points, while Lacher has scored three goals and provided three assists for nine points. Trinity Buchanan has also added six goals, placing her alongside Churchill in the SEC’s top 10 for goal scoring.

The Aggies currently sit at 4-5-0 overall and 0-2-0 in SEC play, placing them 14th in the conference standings. They will seek their first points of the season against a strong Alabama team, following a tough 5-0 defeat to No. 4 Vanderbilt last Friday. In that match, Lucy Landherr, Ciara Jade Mitchell, and Adelaide Paredes made their first starts of the season, with Paredes achieving eight saves.

Alabama, on the other hand, boasts a strong record of 9-1-0, having opened the season with a seven-game winning streak. Their recent victories include a 2-1 win at No. 21 Memphis and a 3-2 triumph over No. 15 TCU. In their latest match, the Crimson Tide won 2-0 against Arkansas. Larkin Thomason and Ashley Roni lead Alabama with eight and six goals, respectively, while both have contributed two assists. Defensively, Alabama has been impressive as well, registering six clean sheets in their first ten matches.

During the Turn It Gold Match, shirts will be available for $20 and scarves for $15, with proceeds going to the Turn It Gold Foundation. Additionally, there will be a Bravery Medal presentation at halftime. Faculty and staff from Texas A&M can access discounted tickets, and attendees can earn double points in the 12th Man Rewards program.