The Texas Tech soccer team (11-4-2, 4-3-1 Big 12) defeated the Kansas Jayhawks (7-10-1, 2-6 Big 12) 2-1 on Friday night.
In what turned out to be a celebratory senior night for the Red Raiders, Texas Tech was able to hold on to victory in what was a must-win game.
A Special Night for Seniors
Prior to the game, Texas Tech honored its six senior members of the team.
Goalkeeper Sydney Malmstrom, defender Brittany Martin, midfielder Jen Rose, defender Cassie Hiatt, midfielder Jordie Harr, and forward Kirsten Davis were all honored during pregame.
The players were presented with framed jerseys, and got to take pictures with their friends and family on the field.
Tech Finishes the First Half Strong
The first half saw the Red Raiders out shoot the jayhawks eight-to-two. Only one shot in the first half was on goal.
The Jayhawks recorded the first shot of the game. In the sixth minute, Kansas senior defender Grace Wiltgen took a shot that sailed wide right above the goal.
Tech’s first shot came in the 17th minute. Kirsten Davis took a shot that sailed over the goal and out of bounds.
The two teams continued to stay scoreless until the final minutes of the first half.
With just under two minutes remaining in the first period, Davis assisted sophomore forward Gisselle Kozarski for the game’s first goal. The Red Raiders took a 1-0 lead into the halftime locker room.
A Close Second Half
In the 77th minute, Tech took a 2-0 lead after scoring its second goal of the game.
Jordie Harr passed the ball to Davis who made a move toward the middle of the Kansas penalty area. Davis took a shot towards the center goal that rolled past Kansas goalkeeper Emilie Gavillet.
Just three minutes later, the Jayhawks struck back to cut the Red Raider lead in half.
Kansas sophomore forward Brie Severns assisted fellow sophomore forward Shira Elinav who shot the ball mere feet from the goal. The ball flew by Tech goalkeeper Madison White and into the net.
The score was still 2-1 with under a minute left. The Jayhawks had multiple opportunities to tie the game, but the Red Raider defense came up with some timely stops.
The Jayhawks rattled off three shots in 11 seconds. Red Raider junior defender Hannah Anderson and the rest of the Tech defense blocked all three shots to hold on to its 2-1 lead as the clock expired.
Comments From the Red Raiders
Davis said playing in front of the home crowd provided the team with a lot of energy.
“It’s so fun playing in front of the crowd here because everyone in the Lubbock community supports us and we love them.” Davis said. “When we have a big crowd it just makes us want to play even harder.”
Tech head coach Tom Stone said the energy in the stadium helped solidify a Red Raider victory.
“When you have that kind of a crowd at a women’s soccer game and your team is in the lead you should never give up that lead, and tonight they helped us secure it and get the big three points.” Stone said. “This was more than just a team win on senior night, this was a community win, our fans were as much a part of it as we were tonight and it was amazing.”
Up Next
The Red Raiders will host No. 11 TCU on Oct. 28. It will be Tech’s final regular season game before heading to the Big 12 tournament.
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