Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
West Texas A&M (Exh.)
Texas Tech Rallies Too Late in Exhibition Loss
August 14, 2009 | Women's Soccer
Aug. 14, 2009
LUBBOCK, Texas - Despite maintaining a 16-4 shot advantage, Texas Tech began its season with a 2-1 loss to West Texas A&M Friday night in an exhibition match at the John Walker Soccer Complex.
"We always want to get the result, even in preseason," Tech head coach Tom Stone said. "However, there were pieces of the game where we played at a level I have not seen from a Tech team before."
Despite dominating possession for most of the first half, Tech lacked in the final third and found itself down 1-0 at the half. West Texas A&M got on the board in the 35th minute as Miriam Dominguez fired a free kick just over the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Colleen Pitts from 35-yards out.
The Lady Buffs would add their second goal just after halftime as Morgan Kviz took a Dominguez cross from the right side and slid the ball past a diving Jaclyn Dozier and goalkeeper Erin Wikelius, who entered the match right after halftime.
Backed with a strong wind from the south, the Red Raiders mounted a rally midway through the second half as Tiffini Smith had a shot attempt go off the right post, while Smith, Taylor Lytle and Brittney Harrison fired several balls into the waiting arms of the Lady Buffs' goalkeeper.
Dawn Ward netted Tech's first goal in the 81st minute, taking a Zhaleh Rezaie pass attempt from the left side and firing to the right side of the net. The goal marked Ward's first in a Red Raider uniform as the redshirt freshman missed the 2008 season after suffering a knee injury prior to fall camp.
"We were able to get a ton of minutes for some key freshman that we are going to have to count on as we move forward into the season," Stone said. "We were most disappointed by our lack of assertiveness in the final third. We got into great spots, but did not pull the trigger, which was a big missing piece tonight."
Smith, playing on her 19th birthday, led the Red Raiders with six shot attempts in her first collegiate action. Ward and Lytle also added three shots.
"Smith was fantastic tonight," Stone said. "A really good performance for her first game, and I think she will only get better from here."
The Red Raiders open the regular season at 7 p.m. next Friday (Aug. 21) against UTSA at the John Walker Soccer Complex. Tickets for the match will be $1.
