Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Continues Road Swing Saturday at Auburn
September 07, 2012 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 7, 2012
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech is set to resume its longest road swing of the 2012 season this weekend with a prime time Saturday night match up against SEC member Auburn.
First kick for the non-conference clash is set for 7 p.m. at the Auburn Soccer Complex. Saturday's match will feature the second SEC opponent in as many games for the Red Raiders who enter the weekend receiving votes in NSCAA Top-25 rankings for the third consecutive week.
Texas Tech (5-1-0) is coming off its first loss of 2012 in a 1-0 decision at Ole Miss on Sept. 2 after winning five straight games to open the season.
"Auburn is a very physical team," head coach Tom Stone said. "They are kind of a typical SEC team with very talented athletes everywhere, a great home environment and a wonderful facility. It is going to be a very good game. Auburn is the best team on our schedule so far."
The Red Raiders, in the midst of a five-match road swing, are paced offensively by both junior Jessica Fuston and freshman Janine Beckie. The Fuston-Beckie duo has combined for seven of the Red Raiders' 10 goals on the season while combing for 15 shots on goal.
Meanwhile, Texas Tech has shutout four of its six opponents during the 2012 season to rank tops among Big 12 programs. The Red Raider defense is anchored by junior goalkeeper Victoria Esson who posted seven shutouts in 2011 and has already recorded three this season alone.
Auburn opened the 2012 season at No. 25 in the NSCAA preseason poll, but the Tigers have lost three of their last four matches including 2-0 decision to William & Mary on Sunday. Auburn in 3-1 in home matches this year.
Texas Tech Storylines
Texas Tech in Midst of Season-Long Road Swing
Saturday's match at Auburn will mark the second in season-long five-match road trip. The Red Raiders last played at home on Aug. 31 in a 1-0 win over Nevada before opening the road swing last Sunday at Ole Miss. The road trip is the longest since 2003 when the Red Raiders opened the season with seven straight matches away from home.
The current road trip features match ups with two SEC opponents (Ole Miss and Auburn), three teams that reached the NCAA Tournament and will conclude with the Red Raiders' Big 12 opener at West Virginia on Sept. 21 in Morgantown.
Red Raiders Receiving Votes in NSCAA Top-25
For the third consecutive week, the Red Raiders are receiving votes in the NSCAA Top-25 Coaches Poll. Texas Tech entered the season having received votes in poll just once in school history on Sept. 14, 2010 after the squad began the season with a 7-1 record.
Tech enters the weekend ranked third in the central region for the second week in the row. It marks the highest regional ranking in school history as the Red Raiders are ahead of fellow Big 12 members Baylor (4th), Kansas (5th), Iowa State (6th) and Oklahoma (10th).
Tech Leading Big 12 in Shutouts
Texas Tech entered the season with a reputation as one of the premier defensive teams in the league, and have backed that up through the first three weeks of play. After six matches the Red Raiders have racked up a league-leading four shutouts. The total ties Baylor for the No. 1 spot among Big 12 teams.
Junior goalkeeper Victoria Esson has recorded 3.1 shutouts this season to bring her career total to 10.1 which ties for third in school history. Esson recorded seven shutouts last year on her way to earning Big 12 Player of the Week honors four times.
Tom Stone Nearing 50-Win Milestone
Texas Tech's victory over Nevada last Friday marked No. 49 for head coach Tom Stone. Stone is the winningest coach in program history and enters this weekend with a career record of 49-42-10.
