Rigamat Carries Bruins to 4-0 Win

Texas A&M;’s Amber Reynolds was an all-Big 12 Conference first-team defender this season, anchoring a unit that went up against top teams such as Notre Dame, Nebraska and Penn State.

Reynolds, though, had never faced UCLA striker Stephanie Rigamat, who tested Reynolds and the rest of the Aggie defense all game Sunday, scoring two goals to lead the sixth-seeded Bruins to a 4-0 victory at Drake Stadium in the third round of the NCAA women’s soccer tournament.

Before 1,016, Rigamat scored in the 24th minute on an outstanding solo effort and in the 71st on a pass from Breana Boling. “I hit the little angle that I had,” said Rigamat, whose goal was her 12th of the season. “I just prayed it got in.”

Texas A&M; Coach G. Guerrieri marveled at Rigamat’s first goal, a shot that came from a steep angle on the right side that caught Aggie goalie Esther Thompson off-guard as Rigamat neared the back line.

“That was a no-angle goal,” Guerrieri said. “Esther [Thompson] was caught leaning against the back post.”

Rigamat kept the pressure on throughout, producing three shots on goal and setting up numerous other chances with her speed and tenacity.

“They have a team that was pretty fast,” Reynolds said of the Bruins. “We’re used to playing teams that fast. We could have handled it a little better.”

UCLA (17-3-1), which will play at third-seeded Clemson in the quarterfinals Saturday night, also got goals from Sarah-Gayle Swanson in the 79th minute and Tracey Milburn with 29 seconds to play. Texas A&M; ended 18-7-0.

Bruin Coach Jillian Ellis said Boling’s work on the second Rigamat goal was key. The team embraced Boling after the goal on which she split two defenders to send a cross to Rigamat.

“We recognize good soccer and that was exceptional,” Ellis said.