Aggies stay focused for 3-0 win over Oklahoma

Senior Night, a TV game waiting and, most importantly, a match for the Big 12 title less than 48 hours away were all distractions for Texas A&M on Friday.

The Aggies cleared their minds with a solid 90 minutes of soccer for a 3-0 victory over Oklahoma at Ellis Field.

"It was different than a normal weekend, but I thought we did really well with it and showed up to play tonight," said starting midfielder Megan Majewski, one of the four seniors honored before the game in front of 2,810 fans. "There were a lot of emotions coming in, getting a win and showing up for the seniors this night."

Kelley Monogue extended her team lead in goals with 15, opening the scoring with a header in the 12th minute and finishing it with one of the better efforts of the season.

In between, Annie Kunz tried to stay in range of Monogue with her 11th goal, a hard shot from distance that squeezed just inside the near post exactly one minute into the second half.

"Everyone has been talking to us all week about the Oklahoma State game on Sunday, but we've had a hard time with Oklahoma the last few times we've played them," A&M head coach G. Guerrieri said. "We knew we couldn't look past them and I thought we came out and really played well early and took care of business and now we can think about Oklahoma State."

A&M won in double overtime in the regular season game last season and lost in overtime in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals.

Oklahoma State also took care of business on Friday, winning 1-0 at Baylor, setting up the match on ESPNU for first place in the Big 12 on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Ellis Field.

No. 2 OSU is 16-0-1 overall and 5-0-1 in the Big 12, while A&M moved to 12-5 and 5-1. Both teams have one match after Sunday. OSU would secure the title with a win. A&M would have to win and draw at Texas to defend its crown.

A&M could have cruised into Sunday if not for OU keeper Kelsey Devonshire.

The junior, who shut out A&M in the Big 12 Tournament, started with a diving save off a Monogue shot after a buildup that started with right back Rachael Balaguer and involved Beth West.

It was the first of 14 saves for Devonshire, who also turned away West's penalty and then her shot off the rebound in the second half.

Devonshire also denied West in the first half with a high-flying acrobatic punch over the crossbar.

"I thought their goalkeeper played fantastic, 14 saves that's a season of saves. She was outstanding on crosses, the penalty kick," Guerrieri said. "Kelsey had a great game, played hard, and kept her team in game as long as she could."

The 56th minute was where it ended, though, when Monogue found space with two OU defenders around her and blasted an angled shot from 25 yards out that found the side netting inside the far post.

Monogue also assisted on Kunz's goal.

Devonshire's other notable saves came against Katie Perry when she came flying across the goal mouth with no regard for her body to block a shot from in close. The OU keeper also got out on a ball that put Kunz behind the line and forced the freshman to direct her shot wide.

A&M keeper Jordan Day preserved her fourth shutout late with a diving save of a Caitlin Mooney shot from inside the box.

Merritt Mathias picked up her team-leading ninth assist on Monogue's first goal, sending a free kick from near the sideline to the top of the 6-yard box.

Mathias was one of the four seniors honored before the game. Bri Young, Balaguer and Majewski were the other three.

"It's going to be a big game on Sunday and we have to focus to get a win there and hopefully win the whole Big 12," Majewski said.