Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders Welcome Ole Miss and Saint Mary's
August 25, 2011 | Women's Soccer
Aug. 25, 2011
Ole Miss & Saint Mary's Preview
LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech soccer team will welcome Ole Miss on Friday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. at the John Walker Soccer Complex and will host Saint Mary's on Sunday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.
This Week's Matches
vs. Ole Miss, Friday, August 26 @ 7 p.m. John Walker Soccer Complex
vs. Saint Mary's, Sunday, August 28 @ 7 p.m. John Walker Soccer Complex
Live Video & Stats: www.texastech.com
Twitter: @techathletics, @techgameday
The Red Raiders
Texas Tech opens the season this past weekend with two 1-0 shutout victories over Rice and New Mexico State. It is the second-straight season that the Red Raiders have opened the season with consecutive shutouts. Tiffini Smith and Taylor Lytle scored their first goals of the season over the weekend and Victoria Esson was credited with the shutouts in goal.
Live Streaming
Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week
Goalkeeper Victoria Esson was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week for her stellar play against Rice and New Mexico State. In her first career start for the Red Raiders, Esson made five saves against Rice and changed the momentum late in the match. The sophomore came to the top of the box and stood up the attacker and dove at her feet to grab the ball and take the threat away. The Red Raiders held on for the 1-0 win. The next match, Esson made two saves to preserve a 1-0 victory over New Mexico State, which gave Tech a 2-0 start to the season.
Ole Miss
Ole Miss comes into the match with Tech at 1-0 on the season. The Rebels defeated Southern Miss 2-0 at home. Rafaelle Souza scored both of the goals in the victory. Ole Miss finished last season at 7-9-4. There is a link between Tech and Ole Miss as former Red Raider Kendyl Mygatt transferred to the Rebels after her freshman season. During her freshmen season at Tech, she scored two goals and six points and started 10 matches. It will be the second time that Tech and Ole Miss have met. Tech won the first meeting 2-0 last season at the Inn at Saint Mary's Classic.
Saint Mary's
Saint Mary's tied New Mexico in its first match of the season 1-1 in Albuquerque, N.M. Jordan Marada scored the Gaels' only goal and goalkeeper Kate Brenot made nine saves on the night. The Gaels were 8-7-4 last season and it will be the first meeting between the two schools.
Co-Captains
Taylor Lytle and Casey McCall were named co-captains of the Red Raider soccer team. Both are team captains from a year ago. Lytle is ranked fifth on the career points list with 50 and is only two assists away from becoming Tech's all-time career leader. McCall has been a defensive leader over the past three seasons and led the team in minutes played with 1821 last year.
Weekend Attendance
The Red Raiders had the second-highest weekend attendance this past weekend with 2,467 in attendance. The previous high was the 2010 season-opening weekend, where 2,641 were in attendance at the John Walker Soccer Complex.
Home Sweet Home
The John Walker Soccer Complex has not only become one of the top facilities in the nation to watch soccer but also one of the best home-field advantages as well. Tech finished last year with a 7-2 record at the pitch and attendance average was No. 12 nationally. The Red Raiders had the second-best Big 12 attendance average and are looking to break the school record for attendance of 1,728 set in 2009 against Oklahoma State. Tech has had three sellouts in the three years at the John Walker Soccer Complex.
Fourth-Straight Year
Friday night's victory over Rice was not only its fourth-straight season-opening victory but also its fourth-straight season-opening shutout. Tech started the steak in 2008 with a 4-0 win over Lamar while in 2009 a 5-0 victory over UTSA kept the steak alive. Last season TCU came to town and the Red Raiders prevailed 3-0.
Bring Cleats for a Good Cause
The Red Raider soccer team received such a good response to fans giving new or slightly new cleats for the Lubbock Soccer Association and other soccer programs in need that they are extending it for the entire season. Any fan that brings a pair of new or slightly worn cleats will receive free entry into Texas Tech soccer matches.
Preseason All-Big 12 Team
The Red Raider soccer team, for the first time in program history, placed two players on the Preseason All-Big 12 Soccer team as Jessica Fuston and Taylor Lytle were both honored. Fuston was the 2010 Big 12 Rookie of the Year and a second team selection to the All-Big 12 team. She led the team with 11 goals and 24 points last season. It is the second-straight year Lytle was named to the preseason team.
Returning Goal Scorer
Tech returns its top goal scorer from last season in Jessica Fuston. The 2010 Big 12 Rookie of the Year scored 11 goals and finished the season with 24 points. Fuston was an All-Big 12 second-team selection and a member of the Big 12 All-Newcomer team.
Head Coach Tom Stone
Stone has a career record of 24-26-7 going into his fifth season at Tech. The Red Raiders have advanced to the Big 12 Championship in every season under Stone. Last season the squad won the most games (11) since Tech won 13 back in 1996.
Promotions
Every game will have great promotions for fans to bring friends and family out to support Texas Tech soccer. This weekend's promotions include a deal for South Plains Educators. Any educator who buys one ticket will receive one free. Guns Up Club member will receive free entry with member ID or t-shirt. Sunday night's promotion includes health care providers receiving a free ticket with purchase of one. If you bring a church bulletin on Sunday night fans can get four tickets for $10.
