University of Texas
Friday, January 29, 2010
University of Texas Longhorns (0) VS. Texas A&M University Aggies (7)
For the last home game against Texas of the season, the A&M rink was filled almost to capacity. The players were determined to bounce back from two tough losses against Division I Central Oklahoma and defeat their major rivals.
Both teams started the game determined and energetic; four and a half minutes in, the Aggies started the scoring when Brian Young sent a pass to Jeff Diltz. A shot from the point resulted in a 1-0 lead for the Aggies.
Thirteen fast-paced minutes ticked by before Justin Cooley received a pass from Michael Zahner in the corner, took it into the zone, and scored with 2:12 remaining in the period, and the first ended with a score of 2-0.
The next period slipped by quickly, but it was scoreless until there were six and a half minutes left. Zahner took a slapshot from the point, and Brian Young tipped it in for a score of 3-0.
Five minutes later, the Aggies kept up the scoring. Aubrey Berkowitz picked up a pass from Eric Engleking; while the goalie was facing the scoreboard, he slid it into the open net, giving the Aggies a four goal lead with 1:30 to go in the period. The second finished with the Aggies ahead 4-0.
The third period started off at a lightning pace; Cooley captured a rebound from Nick Xenakis and buried it to bring the score to 5-0 less than 30 seconds into the third period. Not three minutes later, Zahner backhanded it in from the front of the net after an assist from Nick Culliton.
With 9:50 remaining in the game, the Aggies scored once more: Nick Xenakis intercepted a UT pass in front of the net and a slapshot produced the last goal of the game. The game ended with the Aggies triumphant, 7-0.
Spectacular play from the entire A&M squad, including goalies Kyle Vrla and Tony Girard, proved that this fantastic win was a team effort. The next game promised to be a great one for the Aggies.
The A&M Ice Hockey team would like to recognize University of Texas assistant coach Jim White, who is battling cancer. We support Coach White and hope that he has a speedy recovery and a lengthy hockey career.
