Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
TCU
Harrison's Late Goal Pushes Texas Tech Past TCU
September 05, 2009 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 5, 2009
LUBBOCK, Texas - Brittney Harrison netted the game-winning goal with 30 seconds remaining in double overtime to power Texas Tech to a 4-3 victory over TCU Friday night in front of 1,935 fans at Garvey-Rosenthal Stadium.
With time winding down, Taylor Lytle found Harrison streaking down the field and slipped the ball to the senior who connected on her second goal of the night to push Tech to 3-1 for the first time since 1996. The loss was TCU's first, dropping the Horned Frogs to 3-1 early in the year.
"Prior to overtime, you could sense something special was going to happen," Tech head coach Tom Stone said. "We really dug in and refused to lose in overtime, and then when the chance to win presented itself, Taylor and Brittney connected for one of the biggest moments in recent years. This is a great road win for the team."
Lytle's assist on Harrison's final goal was her third of the match, which broke the previous Tech school record of two that had been accomplished 19 times previously. Lytle also found Harrison for Tech's opening goal 12 minutes into the match.
Dawn Ward gave Tech a 2-0 nothing lead seven minutes later off Lytle's second assist as the redshirt freshman connected on her Big 12-leading fifth goal of the season. The Midland, Texas, native has scored a goal in every match for the Red Raiders this season.
The Horned Frogs pulled to a 2-1 deficit just before halftime off Jenna Hayes' third goal of the season that was set up by Chelsea Cody and Jordan Calhoun.
The Red Raiders extended their lead almost two minutes after the intermission as Tiffini Smith found Sarah Ellison for her second goal of the season. Smith's assist marked her first collegiate point, making her the fourth Tech player to post a point this season.
With less than 20 minutes remaining, TCU began its comeback off two goals from Lizzy Karoly and Katie Taylor that were separated by only six minutes, marking the second-consecutive match Tech had surrendered a 3-1 lead.
In what was previously a high-scoring match, both teams had trouble hitting the game-winner in the final 10 minutes of regulation and the first overtime period. Harrison changed that in the match's final minute, however, sending the Red Raiders onto the field behind the support of a large Tech crowd in attendance.
"Our young team really showed great character tonight," Stone said. "We played really well to be up 3-1 and were firmly in charge, but credit TCU for tying the match. Their direct attack caused us some problems, but I was proud of how our team never gave up and pulled through in the end."
Erin Wikelius played all 110 minutes in goal as the freshman made her second-consecutive start, collecting a season-high five saves. Harrison and Ward led the Red Raider offensive attack with five and four shot attempts respectively.
TCU maintained a 23-16 shot advantage and attempted eight corner kicks to Tech's five. The Horned Frogs had opened the season with a 2-1 victory over then-ranked No. 15 Texas.
The Red Raiders remain in the Dallas Metroplex to conclude the weekend against North Texas at 1 p.m. Sunday from the Mean Green Soccer Field in Denton.
Tech will see a familiar face on UNT's bench as former goalkeeper Tina Rincon is an assistant coach with the Mean Green. Rincon completed her collegiate career last season as the Tech all-time leader in career shutouts. North Texas fell to SMU, 1-0, Friday night.
