Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: File - The Battalion Sophomore Amber Gnatzig, left, and seniors Melissa Gary and Amy Berend celebrate after Berend scores a goal in the first six minutes against University of Texas. [Click to enlarge]

The Aggies will take a break from Big 12 play Friday when they face the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Texas A&M enters the match ranked No. 2 in the country by the NSCAA.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee just won its eighth consecutive Horizon League championship. This will be the first time the Aggies and Panthers meet. This will also be the first time that Wisconsin-Milwaukee will travel to Texas or face a team from Texas.

The Panthers have played teams from the Big 12 on seven occasions. Their record is 2-5 against the Big 12, with their two wins coming against Nebraska and Missouri. In 2007, they have had several wins against Big Ten and Big East teams.

Guerrieri believes that playing Wisconsin-Milwaukee will be beneficial for the Aggies, "They really are a quality team. They are a team that's going to be in the NCAA tournament."

A&M will have to play good defense, as Guerrieri pointed out, "They are very organized; they've given up two goals just a handful of times this season."

UW-Milwaukee senior Pam Shipway was named to the Team of the Week by the Soccer America magazine. She had two goals and one assist over the weekend when the Panthers won their league.

"They have a lot of shutouts and they haven't lost a game since Sept. 16" Guerrieri said.

On Sunday, Texas A&M will play its second to last Big 12 game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. This game is of great importance for the Aggies because a win guarantees a share of the Big 12.

"We have everything to play for. If we win on Sunday, we have at least a share of the Big 12 regular season championship. If we win on Sunday and the other Friday against Baylor, we win it all," Guerrieri said.

The Red Raiders have four conference wins, which is more than what they have had in previous years.

"Tech has had a great season. They've had a real turnaround and they have a new coaching staff" Guerrieri said.

"They are playing with passion and a sense of purpose. They are trying to put themselves in a position where they don't just make the Big 12 tournament, but have a seat in the tournament" said Guerrieri on Tech's game-playing style.

"Hopefully we will get the Twelfth Man out there to help us win another trophy" Guerrieri concluded.

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