Exciting Weekend Awaits Texas Tech Soccer

Sept. 1, 2005

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LUBBOCK, Texas - After notching their first victory of the season in dramatic fashion on Tuesday the Red Raider soccer team prepares for an eventful weekend which will see them play host to pair a teams from the Big Ten Conference and welcome Olympic soccer player Heather Mitts to Lubbock. Tech will take the field on Friday night at R.P. Fuller Stadium to take on the Northwestern Wildcats at 7 p.m. and will return to action at home on Sunday when they host the Minnesota Golden Gophers at 1 p.m.

"This weekend will be a tremendous test for us," said Tech Head Coach Neil McGuire. "But, we have the ability to play with both of these teams."

During the weekend, Texas Tech soccer will be teaming up with the Red Cross and taking donations for a relief fund to help the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Fans are encouraged to bring non perishable food, toiletry and clothing items or donations which will be shipped to those people in the Gulf Coast affected by the natural disaster. The tragedy has affected many members of the Texas Tech community, including McGuire, who has family in the region.

"We want to do all we can to ease the pain and suffering of those all over the southern states," McGuire said. "This is our small way of helping in the recovery efforts."

On Tuesday, the Red Raiders downed Sam Houston State, 3-2, in overtime to capture their first win under first-year head coach Neil McGuire. Senior forward Kimmie Davis has been impressive early in the season as she leads the team with three goals and seven points, including a two-goal one assist performance in the win over SHSU. Davis also enters the weekend in a tie for first in the Big 12 in goals and points. Also standing out in the victory was freshman Chessa Purser. Purser, who posted a two-goal performance in an exhibition win over West Texas A&M on Aug. 20, tallied the overtime game-winner on Tuesday to lift the Red Raiders to a victory over the Bearkats. Senior Beth Lippert earned the win in her first start in goal as she collected 10 saves, including eight in the second period.

In addition to all the activities on the field, fans will have the opportunity to met and get autographs from Olympic soccer player Heather Mitts over the weekend. Mitts will participate in a dinner with fans and an autograph session on Saturday at R.P. Fuller Stadium from 7:00-8:30 p.m. On Sunday, Mitts, along with the Red Raider soccer team, will lead a free clinic following the Texas Tech-Minnesota match-up. During the weekend, one lucky fan will be the winner of a "Dinner with an Olympian" raffle.

A look at Northwestern

   Northwestern comes to Lubbock with a 1-1 record after splitting a pair of one-goal games on the road last weekend. The Wildcats opened the season with a 1-0 triumph over UW-Milwaukee on Aug. 26, but fell two days later to Marquette by a score of 2-1. The team returns 12 letterwinners from the 2004 season, when it compiled a 10-8-2 record and finished in a tie for fifth in the Big Ten with a 5-4-1 conference mark. Junior goalkeeper Whitney Jones is Northwestern's leading returner this season and has been impressive through two games, allowing only one goal in 180 minutes.

A look at Minnesota

   Sunday's opponent, the Minnesota Golden Gophers, have already faced Big 12 competition this season prior to the Big 12 Big/Ten Challenge, dropping a 3-1 decision to Nebraska in Lincoln on Aug. 26. Minnesota was able to bounce back two days later to net its first win of the season, as the team downed Drake 2-0 on the road. Last season the Golden Gophers went 8-10 overall and 2-8 in conference play to finish 10th in the Big Ten. Minnesota will face Baylor in Waco on Friday.

Red Raider Soccer on the Internet

Fans can keep up with Red Raider soccer all season long by logging on to www.texastech.com. This season for the first time, all eight of Texas Tech's home matches will be broadcast over the internet. In addition to internet radio, fans can follow the progression of the match on gametracker, which provides real-time scoring and statistics. Gametracker will be available for all home games this season and certain road matches. Both the internet radio and gametracker features can be accessed by logging on to the 2005 soccer schedule page on www.texastech.com or by clicking on the following link - Internet Radio & Gametracker

Quick Notes

 

Heather Mitts Visit Events Timeline...

Saturday, Sept. 3

7:00-8:30 p.m. - Dinner and autographs with Heather Mitts at R.P. Fuller Stadium

Sunday, Sept. 4

1:00-3:00 p.m. -- Texas Tech Soccer vs. Minnesota

3:10 p.m. - Autographs with Mitts and the Red Raiders

3:30 p.m. - Free Clinic conducted by Mitts and the Red Raiders

5:15-7:00 p.m. - "Dinner with an Olympian" Winner of the raffle drawing will be taken to dinner with Heather Mitts and the Texas Tech soccer team

 

McGuire Captures First Win as Tech Coach...

Neil McGuire broke into the win column for the first time as Texas Tech's head coach on Aug. 30 as the Red Raiders claimed a 3-2 overtime victory over Sam Houston State.

Senior forward Kimmie Davis tallied two goals and added an assist on Chessa Pursers' overtime game-winning tally. Senior Beth Lippert picked up the win in goal as she allowed only two goals in 93:42 minutes of action, while making 10 saves.

 

Red Raiders Down Buffaloes in Exhibition Matchup...

Texas Tech soccer got a head start on the season as they downed West Texas A&M, 2-0, in an exhibition matchup at R.P. Fuller Stadium on Aug. 20.

Freshman Chessa Purser highlighted the evening as she scored both of the Red Raiders goals and collected a team-high seven shots. Seniors Megan Knauss and Beth Lippert combined efforts in goal for Tech to shut out the Buffs, junior Ana Morton and red-shirt freshman Amy Mathiak each chipped in with an assist in the match.

For the game, the Red Raiders held a 27-7 shot advantage, including a 14-2 mark in the second half.

 

Olympian Heather Mitts to Make Appearance in Lubbock...

During the weekend of Sept. 3-4, Texas Tech soccer will welcome a special guest to Lubbock -- Olympian and U.S. National Team member Heather Mitts.

Fans will have an opportunity to join Mitts in an dinner and autograph session on the evening of Sept. 3 while kids in attendance at Sept. 4's match between Texas Tech and Minnesota will have the opportunity to participate in a free clinic ran by Mitts and members of the Red Raider soccer team.

In addition, one lucky fan will be the winner of a drawing to share dinner with Mitts and Texas Tech head coach Neil McGuire on Sunday evening.

Tickets are available by calling (806) 742-1195.

Kelly Wilson Schmedes joins coaching Staff...

Former University of Texas standout and U.S. Women's National Team member Kelly Schmedes will join the Red Raider soccer coaching staff this season as a volunteer assistant coach.

Schmedes, formerly Kelly Wilson, rounded out a stellar career at Texas last season where she spent one season under the tutelage of McGuire, who served as an assistant coach for Texas during the 2004 season. Schmedes completed her Longhorn career as Texas soccer's all-time leading scorer with 129 career points and established UT single-season marks for goals (16), assists (14), points (46) and game-winning goals (6) during her senior year in 2004.

Schmedes, a three-time candidate for the Herman Trophy and two-time NSCAA All-American, earned first-team All-Big 12 honors four times (2001-2004). During her time as a Longhorn, she was named Big 12 Player of the Year in 2002 and Rookie of the Year following her freshman campaign in 2001.

Schmedes has made two appearances on the U.S. National Team at the 2002 and 2005 Algarve Cup. Prior to joining the U.S. National Team, Schmedes was one of the top youth national team players, helping lead the USA to the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship.

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Exciting Weekend Awaits Texas Tech Soccer

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