Tech Soccer Enters Big Weekend Against Baylor, Texas
October 08, 2008 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 8, 2008
LUBBOCK, Texas -
Complete Release in PDF Format 
STARTING OFF...
With Big 12 play at its midway point, the Texas Tech soccer team faces a crucial weekend ahead, tackling Baylor Fri., Oct. 10, in the third-annual Battle for the Brand match and the nationally-ranked Texas Longhorns Sun., Oct 12.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Red Raiders return to the road for the final time next weekend, traveling to Iowa State Oct. 17 and Nebraska Oct. 19. Tech defeated both schools last season with its win over the Cornhuskers the first in school history.
SCOUTING BAYLOR
Baylor arrives in Lubbock 5-5-2 overall and 1-1-1 in Big 12 play after picking up three points last weekend off a tie against Iowa State and a 1-0 victory over Nebraska. After dropping the first 10 meetings against Baylor, the Red Raiders have won the previous two meetings, including last year's 2-1 come-from-behind victory. Baylor is led offensively by Andi Fagan, Lotto Smith and Christine Clark, who combine for 24 of the Bears' 53 points this season. Courtney Seelhorst and Gianna Quintana have split time in goal, combining for six team shutouts, while allowing only seven goals this season. Baylor returns 16 letterwinners, including five starters, off its 2007 squad that finished 7-10-2 overall and tenth in the Big 12. The Bears are under the direction of first-year head coach Marci Jobson, who spent the previous three seasons at Northern Illinois.
SCOUTING TEXAS
After dropping its first match of the season last week at Nebraska, Texas enters the weekend ranked as No. 9 in the Soccer America poll, sitting 8-1-2 overall and 1-1-1 in conference. The Longhorns have won the previous eight meetings between the two schools, taking last season's match, 1-0, in Austin. Courtney Goodson, Kasey Moore and Stephanie Logterman have combined for 13 of UT's 20 goals, while Dianna Pfenninger has played the majority of minutes in goal, collecting 45 saves and three shutouts, while allowing only seven goals. The Longhorns return 18 letterwinners, including eight starters, off its 2007 squad that won the Big 12 Championship and advanced the third round of the NCAA Championship. Texas is led by Christ Petrucelli, who is in his tenth season with a record of 129-61-16.
KEEP AN EYE ON...JUNIOR Brittney Harrison
When the Red Raiders need a spark, Brittney Harrison is normally there to provide the offensive fire-power. With seven goals this season, including three game-winners, Harrison has moved into fourth all-time for most career goals as the junior has netted 19 over her three-year career. Harrison's seven goals is tied for second in the Big 12 with the three game-winners also tied for second in the conference.
BATTLE FOR THE BRAND
Originally initiated by former Tech and Baylor coaches Neil McGuire and George Van Linder, the Battle for the Brand match is in its third season of existence. After claiming the trophy in the inaugural match, the Red Raiders defended the cup last season, defeating the Bears, 2-1, in Waco.
NO ONE HIT WONDER
After advancing to the Big 12 Championship for the first time since 1999 last season, the Red Raiders are looking to return to postseason play in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history. Tech has made a total of three trips - in 1996, 1999 and 2007 - to the Big 12 Championship, but has never won a postseason match in Big 12 play. Tech also qualified for the Southwest Conference Tournament in 1995, advancing to the second round off penalty kicks against TCU.
ATLANTA BEAT REUNION
The Battle for the Brand match will be an Atlanta Beat reunion of sorts as every coach from both teams had an association with the now defunct team during its three-year existence. Things were pretty much the same on the Beat sideline just like they are now at Tech as Tom Stone served as the head coach with Aaron Gordon serving as his top assistant. Baylor head coach Marci Jobson was a player with the squad, while her husband Paul, BU's associate head coach, worked in ticket operations. Baylor assistant Chuck Codd's wife, Charmaine Hooper, was the team's star player at the time. Tech assistant coach Ashley Gordon was the technical director of the Cobb Futbol Club at the time.
RINCON AMONG THE ALL-TIME BEST TECH GOALKEEPERS
Already the school's all-time leader in career shutouts, Tech goalkeeper has moved up the ranks in yet another category, career saves. The senior from Carrollton, Texas, passed Megan Knauss for second place for career saves as she now has 272 over her four-year career. Rincon's 55 saves this season is third in the Big 12 this season.
McCALL MAKING HARRISON DECISION EASIER FOR STONE
Freshman defender Casey McCall is making Tech head coach Tom Stone's life easier not just by her play on the backline, but in his decision to keep Brittney Harrison playing forward for the time being. Known for her speed and aggression, McCall is one-for-one on shot attempts this season, netting her first career goal against Alabama A&M, while Harrison leads the Red Raiders with a Big 12 second-best seven goals.
MIHELICH SEES FIRST ACTION OF SEASON
Sophomore transfer Leanne Mihelich saw her first action of the season against Oklahoma, playing a total of 60 minutes. Mihelich joins the Red Raiders from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock where she led the Trojans in goals (9) and points (22) as a freshman. Mihelich had previously been recovering from an ankle injury sustained in preseason practices.
RED RAIDERS EARN FIRST VICTORY OVER OKLAHOMA SINCE 2000
With Tech's 2-1 double-overtime win over Oklahoma last Sunday, the Red Raiders earned their first victory over the Sooners since 2000. Tech had also not won in overtime since 2005 and had never previously defeated a Big 12 opponent in overtime.
TECH SURPASSES 2007 GOAL TOTAL
Through 10 matches, the Red Raiders have netted 28 goals, which is already higher than their 2007 total of 22. Tech has had a player with multiple-goals in four matches, a feat only accomplished twice in 2007.
YELINEK AMONG CONFERENCE ASSIST LEADERS
Freshman Lauren Yelinek has a team-high five assists on the season, which is tied for third in the Big 12 and tops among conference freshmen. Making her figures look more impressive, Yelinek has done all this playing left-back, a position not naturally designed for high assist numbers.
TECH LEADING AT THE HALF
After not leading a match at the half once in 2007, the Red Raiders have entered halftime with the lead in all six of its eight matches this season. Prior to the start of the season, Tech had not gone into the half with a lead since Oct. 10, 2006, when the Red Raiders led 1-0 over Texas State. The Red Raiders ended up defeating the Bobcats, 3-0.
