Georgia Opens SEC Play at Texas A&M

Friday, September 16

Bryan-College Station, Texas

8 p.m.

University of Georgia

Texas A&M

September 15, 2022 | Soccer

Match Notes

Georgia (6-2-0, 0-0-0 SEC) at Texas A&M (5-1-2, 0-0-0 SEC)
Date: Friday, Sept. 16
Time: 8 p.m. EDT
Location: Bryan-College Station, Texas
Site: Ellis Field (3,500)

MEDIA INFORMATION
Live Stream: SEC Network+
Live Stats: GeorgiaDogs.com
Twitter: @UGASoccer
Instagram: @UGASoccer

Social Media: For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

QUICK KICKS
Conference Play Commences
Georgia opens its 28th season of Southeastern Conference play with a road date at Texas A&M, the first matchup between the schools since a 2-0 Bulldogs loss in 2018 in Bryan-College Station. Georgia's lone win against Texas A&M came in 2015 when the Bulldogs topped the No. 4 Aggies, 2-1, the highest-ranked opponent defeated in program history.

Georgia holds a 12-13-2 all-time record in SEC openers, including a 5-10-1 mark in road openers. The Bulldogs last won a road opener in 2006: a 3-2 win at Mississippi State.

Besting the Bulls
Georgia closed its non-conference season with a 2-0 win over USF on Sunday in Athens, finishing early play with a 6-2-0 record. Mallie McKenzie opened the scoring with 21st-minute goal, followed by an insurance score from Dani Murguia in the 72nd minute. Both goals were set up by assists from Dasia Torbert, who set a new career best assist total. In her fifth-consecutive shutout, Liz Beardsley tallied two saves in the final 10 minutes of play, while the Bulldogs defense only allowed one USF corner kick.

Mighty McKenzie
Senior midfielder Mallie McKenzie is in the midst of a career-best streak, scoring in each of Georgia's last three matches. On Sunday, McKenzie became the 12th player in program history to score in three straight outings, placing her two away from Gabby Seiler's record of five. McKenzie is tied for the team lead in points (9) and leads in SOG percentage (.600).

Torbert on a Tear
Junior midfielder Dasia Torbert is also looking to continue a strong streak of play, having posted a point in each of the last four matches. Torbert scored her first Georgia goal against Kennesaw State and has notched four assists in the span, including a career-best two against USF. Torbert is the first legacy player in program history. Her mother, Ali Comis Bose, was a member of the inaugural four-year class that played from 1995-98, reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 in her senior season. Torbert's father, Regan, also lettered for the football team in 2000.

Dawgs' Defense Coming Up Big
Despite only having 45 minutes of previous experience under her belt, sophomore goalkeeper Liz Beardsley has impressed in her first eight career starts. After posting a shutout against Georgia Southern, Beardsley posted a solid performance against No. 1 Florida State, tallying six saves, including an outstanding leaping punch-save in the second half. She then only allowed one goal against Wake Forest before notching shutouts in her last five starts.

The Georgia backline has solidified with the same four players starting in every match so far. The Bulldog defenders have only allowed an average of 6.4 shots per game and 16 total corner kicks, while securing five consecutive shutouts for the first time since 2013. It is the third-longest shoutout streak in program history.

McAlpine Against the Aggies
Georgia head coach Keidane McAlpine holds a 2-0 career record against Texas A&M, with both previous meetings coming in the NCAA Tournament at USC. In 2016, McAlpine's Trojans prevailed in a 4-3 shootout victory (following a 0-0 tie), staying alive for an eventual national championship. The two programs again met in the second round in 2019, with USC winning, 2-1.

Graduates Nearing History
With her 28th-minute goal against FSU, graduate forward Dani Murguia reached 50 points in her career, moving closer to the top 10 in program history. With an assist against Georgia State, Murguia now sits only three behind Suzannah Weathersbee for the program career record (24) and will look to set a new top mark during the season.

Fellow graduates Abby Boyan and Cecily Stoute are also nearing the top of the program record books. Boyan has now appeared and started in 79 matches (10th-most in program history), putting her on pace to eventually break the records held by Natalie Farley (88 appearances) and Carrie Patterson (87 starts). She is also now tied seventh all-time in assists (17) and shots (168). Murguia (78 appearances) and Stoute (76 apps/starts) are also in line to eventually reach the top of the list as well.

Outlasting the Ospreys
The Bulldogs are looking to improve from their 1-0 victory over North Florida on Thursday. Mallie McKenzie's 18th-minute goal off an assist from Dasia Torbert proved to be the only scoring of the evening for UGA, who was held in check by a consistent press from UNF. Georgia only tallied four shots on goal, the fewest in a victory since four last season in a 3-1 win over No. 15 Clemson (Sept. 2, 2021)

New Friends on the Pitch
Even with 17 returning letterwinners, this year's squad features a large influx of talent with 12 newcomers: five transfers and seven freshmen. On the transfer part, Hellstrom is joined by fellow Pac-12 student-athlete Dasia Torbert, who returned home to Georgia following two seasons at UCLA. The Bulldogs also welcome sophomores Alyssa Stadeker (Florida State) and Joyelle Washington (Wisconsin).

Up Next
Georgia begins the home portion of its SEC season with a matchup against No. 5 South Carolina on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Turner Soccer Complex. The match will be streamed live on SEC Network+.

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
The University of Georgia held fast at No. 16 in U.S. News & World Report's 2023 ranking of the best public universities in the nation, marking the seventh consecutive year that UGA has placed in the top 20. Georgia is one of only two SEC institutions to rank among the top 20.

"This outstanding news is another clear sign that the University of Georgia is solidifying its position among the very best public research universities in America," said President Jere W. Morehead. "The consistency of our national ranking is a testament to the commitment of our talented faculty, staff and students; the generosity and support of our loyal alumni and friends; and the effectiveness of our vision and strategy to reach new heights of academic excellence."