Tom Stone’s postgame message to his team was clear: “It’s time to be desperate for points if we want to make moves in the league standings.”
That statement comes on the heels of the Red Raiders’ 2-1 loss to #9 West Virginia Friday night in Lubbock. The defeat is the second of the year for Tech, who has yet to win in its four tries on the season. The preseason Big 12 favorites now sit in 8th place with two points.
The first half remained uneventful, especially in comparison to the second half, with a combined three shots on goal between the two teams, two by West Virginia and one by Tech, leading to a scoreless line at halftime.
The second half dramatics started early when West Virginia midfielder Julieanne Vallerand found some space in the middle of the field, and let one fly from around 22 yards out. The shot went right through the hands of Texas Tech goalkeeper Madison White who got caught a little off her line. The goal marked the 2nd of the year for Vallerand. White finished the game with six saves.
Just 1:55 later into the match, White made up for her mistake when she saved a penalty kick by the Mountaineers which was called after a handball in the box by the Red Raiders.
It appeared the momentum swung into the favor of the Red Raiders after the save, but Stone’s squad could not translate that into any significant attacks offensively.
The Red Raiders were able to find the back of the net late, but it wasn’t until after the Mountaineers took a 2-0 lead thanks to a goal from Stefany Ferrer-vanGinkle, her team leading third of the year, in the 82nd minute.
The Tech goal came in the 88th minute from the boot of Kirsten Davis, who found the back of the net for the first time all season. It came off of a free kick in which Jen Rose stood over the ball, facing goal for the Red Raiders. Charlotte Teeter and Davis were on the other side of the ball with their backs toward goal. After Rose was used as a decoy to run past the ball, Teeter slid the ball to Davis who ultimately found space and the bottom right corner of the frame. Stone and Davis both mentioned after the game that the set piece was something the team worked on before in practice.
However, that would be the last attacking attempt Tech would have on the night.
The Red Raiders were only able to muster up two shots, both on goal, both courtesy of Davis, much to Stone’s displeasure. The 13th year head coach would go on to call the stat unacceptable, calling for his other forwards to help Davis in the attack.
Up Next
West Virginia will return home next Friday to host the Baylor Bears. Texas Tech will make the trip down I-20 to Fort Worth to take on the currently 12th ranked TCU Horned Frogs.
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