SAN MARCOS, Texas — Baylor Soccer (4-0-2) scored a season-high four goals on the way to their fourth win of the season, a 4-1 thumping of hosts Texas State (3-2-2).
Bears’ senior star Tyler Isgrig scored a brace to turn an early 1-0 deficit for the green and gold into a 2-1 lead before a pair of Bobcat own goals gave us the final scoreline.
The opening goal came for the hosts in the 14th minute as the second ball from a corner kick was quickly lobbed back into the Baylor box and headed past Azul Alvarez by Texas State’s Victoria Meza.
1-0 Texas State.
Over the next fifteen minutes, Baylor was on the front foot, looking for an equalizer. Junior midfielder Aryanna Jimison was a key figure in the Baylor attack throughout the night, including a great chance narrowly missed in the 21st minute. Jimison dummied a line-breaking pass from Senior defender Blythe Obar, turned past the Bobcat defender, and ran onto the ball in the 18-yard box. The Baylor midfielder lashed a low shot toward the far left post and was just inches wide.
Thankfully for the Bears, Jimison kept at it and earned a free kick around the left corner of the 18-yard box just four minutes later. Isgrig took the chance brilliantly, curling a direct shot over the defense and into the back of the net to tie things up.
1-1 in San Marcos.
Jimison came close to scoring three more times in the half, once barely missing a chance at a header off of a free kick, another time having a shot from a very tight angle near the end line saved, and finally just before the half pinging a shot off the inside of the far post and out of the goal.
That last chance was a tough miss for Jimison and the Bears, going into halftime tied 1-1 instead of up 2-1 because the ball was a few millimeters too far to the left.
Texas State did test Baylor goalkeeper Azul Alvarez on either side of halftime, but after the opening goal, the senior shot-stopper made multiple highlight reel saves to keep her goals against average as low as possible.
Baylor did not need long to find Alvarez some insurance in the second half, though. Just three minutes into the period, junior forward Lauren Omholt was on the left side of the Bobcats’ box when she looked centrally for Isgrig. A last chance challenge deflected Omholt’s pass, but Isgrig still got to the ball first and calmly passed the ball into the right side of the goal.
2-1 Bears and a brace for Isgrig to start her tally for the year after an uncharacteristically quiet five games.
One minute later, Alvarez was throwing her body on the line to keep the Bears’ new lead, making a spectacular save of a. Shot headed for the top right corner of her goal. The follow-up shot mercifully went inches wide of the same post to see the Bears out of danger.
In the 56th minute, Jimison once again hit the woodwork — this time the crossbar — as she looked to place her shot into the top right corner of the Texas State goal.
Isgrig nearly completed her hat trick in the 63rd minute when an Olivia Hess shot was spilled by the Texas State keeper. Callie Conrad poked the rebound into the center of the six-yard box, where Isgrig was battling for position. The Bobcat defender was the one to get the touch on the ball, sending it into the back of the net and robbing Isgrig of credit for the goal. Either way, Baylor went up 3-1.
Five minutes later, junior Theresa McCullough was driving the ball forward down the right wing when she sent what appeared to be a cross in towards the Texas State goal. The ball was in a dangerous area with players from both teams attacking it when a Bobcat poked it past her own keeper.
4-1 Baylor.
From there, Texas State pushed for any lifeline they could find, but the Bears' defense held firm.
Despite losing a shutout streak that started after the Texas A&M Aggies 4th 4th-minute goal in the season-opener, Baylor’s defense did well against a high-effort attack from Texas State.
The Bears’ offensive onslaught was great to see against a quality non-power 4 opponent, and the own goals helped the scoreline better reflect the chances created. Aryanna Jimison legitimately was a matter of feet away from a hat trick.
With Big 12 play looming, the Bears are in good form and look to be improving at the offensive end. The defense has been the strength of the team so far and looks to be in great shape for conference play, especially if they can get Hannah Augustyn back from injury.
4-0-2 is also the best start for the Green and Gold under Michelle Lenard.
Up Next: Baylor hosts Abilene Christian on Sunday, August 14th at 7 PM at Betty Lou Mayes Field. That game will be broadcast on ESPN+. After that, it is a Friday tilt with Texas Tech in Waco to open Big 12 play.
