Aggie Kristen Strutz scored in the first overtime period to lead the No. 5 Texas A&M women's soccer team past No. 21 SMU, 2-1, in front of 1,496 fans at the Aggie Soccer Complex in second-round action of the NCAA Tournament, Sunday afternoon.
After a foul was called on SMU, Nicky Thrasher took a direct kick from 25 yards out that split the SMU wall and found the toe of Strutz. Strutz directed the ball into the net from point-blank range for her fourth goal of the year.
The match marked the third time the Aggies and the Mustangs have played in the NCAA tournament with SMU earning wins in 1995 and 1997.
SMU had the advantage most of the first half. Sarah Harvey's third goal of the NCAA tournament and her 12th of the season gave SMU the lead just 3:42 into the match. Harvey received the ball outside of the 18-yard box and maneuvered around an A&M defender to finish the play.
"SMU was brilliant during the first 20 minutes or so," Texas A&M coach Guerrieri said. "They had us sleepwalking and we were lucky to be down by only one goal."
Thrasher scored the equalizer in the 61st minute with her 16th goal of the season on a cross from Strutz. SMU goalkeeper Erin McLeod was caught out of position and Thrasher buried the shot from eight yards out. The assist was the tenth of the season for Strutz.
The Aggies' record improved to 16-3-1 and they will advance to the Sweet 16 to play No. 4 Stanford Friday, November 23. SMU finished the season 16-4-0.