No. 24 Texas Tech Topples The Aztecs, 1-0, Sunday

Sunday, September 18

San Diego, Calif.

8:00 P.M.

Texas Tech Athletics

7-1-2

San Diego State

2-5

Texas Tech

San Diego State

No. 24 Texas Tech Topples The Aztecs, 1-0, Sunday

September 18, 2016 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Senior goalkeeper Lauren Watson recorded her fourth shutout of the season in San Diego.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The No. 24 Texas Tech soccer team concluded its non-conference portion of the 2016 schedule with a 1-0 victory against San Diego State on Sunday night at the Aztec Sports Deck.

"This was a very important weekend for our growth and development," head coach Tom Stone said. "We faced the second & third-toughest teams on our non-conference schedule away from home and we needed results. We were certainly disappointed by the draw on Friday, but to leave California with a win and a tie ends the non-con season on a good note.

"Both of these teams will challenge for their respective conference championships and they pushed us to be better than we have been. So, headed into the Big 12 slate next week we are about as ready as we could be."

The lone goal in Sunday's match came in the 77^th minute, after a ball from the Aztecs (2-5-0) deflected off of one of their own and into the net for the Red Raider score. It was the second time Tech has benefited from an own goal in 2016, both as the go-ahead tallies.

Already playing without freshman midfielder Jordie Harr, who was fulfilling a previous commitment to the U-20 U.S. Women's National Team today in Carson, California, the Red Raiders lost another in senior defender Megan McCullough to a red card after the goal. Tech was forced to play with only 10 members for the final 13 minutes of action, but were able to close out the match with a win.

Sunday's match was the first in the all-time series between the two programs and gave Tech a 7-1-2 record to wrap up the non-conference action.

"We had one less day of rest than our opponent after a double overtime game Friday, we lost Jordie Harr to the US U-20 National Team, who played Brazil today, we missed a penalty kick and played a man down for the last 15 minutes against a very energetic and athletic team away - and we still found a way to win," Stone added on the obstacles his team overcame on Sunday. "That definitely speaks to the fight in this young team. We are proud of their effort tonight for sure."

Tech found its way on the attack early, earning a corner kick within the first three minutes of action. San Diego State would flip it to their side of the field shortly after for a pair of shots in the sixth minute, one that dinged off the post, followed by another that was blocked by the Red Raider defense. Tech would do the same thing a few minutes later, as freshman forward Tatum Barton's strike met the crossbar and sophomore midfielder Jordan Duke had an opportunity blocked.

San Diego State went back on the offensive in the 23^rd minute, as forward Aliyah Utush sent one above the goal and one from forward Angela Mitchell that required senior goalkeeper Lauren Watson's attention, who quickly wrapped up the save. SDSU would also have a shot blocked a couple minutes later.

The final three shots of the first frame came from the Red Raiders, with sophomore midfielder Jordan Duke found an opportunity, but sent hers just wide of the net. Subbing into the match in the 37^th minute, junior forward Natalie Schmutz quickly found herself with the ball and took advantage, deflecting a shot off an Aztec defender to set up a Red Raider corner. Tech connected on the chance, as Duke's feed found sophomore defender Cassie Boren, but it was saved by SDSU's Gabby English in the 38^th minute.

The remainder of the first half was plagued by Aztec fouls, who ended the chippy first half with eight-straight fouls, giving them 13 overall in the frame. Tech only committed five, while racking up six shots, compared to SDSU's six. The number of fouls were essentially flipped in the second half, as Tech picked up 15 to the Aztec's four.

It looked like the Red Raiders would find the back of the net the same way they did on Friday night via penalty kick, as the Aztecs were called for a hand ball two minutes into the second half. However, the conversion by redshirt freshman midfielder Mary Heiberger was unsuccessful.

Schmutz would get another chance in the 51^st minute, with her shot traveling wide of the net. The next 10 minutes of play were peppered by four Red Raider fouls and two offside calls. Sandwiched between the two offsides was a SDSU corner, taken by midfielder Victoria Barba, but it did not materialize.

Tech picked up two yellow cards two minutes apart, charged to defenders Rebekah O'Brien & Meagan McCullough in the 67^th & 68^th minutes, respectively. Watson went back to work a few minutes later, as the Aztecs added two more shots in the 73^rd minute, with only one needing Watson to make the save.

In the 77th minute, the Red Raiders took the lead after the Aztecs committed an own goal, the only score of the night. The pressure wouldn't let up; however, after McCullough's red card sent Tech down to 10 players for the duration of the match. During that stretch, the Aztecs would garner five more shots, including two in the final five seconds of the contest that were saved and hit the crossbar, as the Red Raiders held on for the win.

Watson finished the night with five saves, giving her 39 so far this season. She is now six away from fourth all-time at Texas Tech with 206. Sunday was also Watson's fourth shutout of the year, putting her just 5.5 from the Red Raider career record of 29.0 overall.

"Overall, I thought it was a great weekend for our back line and holding mids," Stone said. "They really came alive this weekend and played with a great combination of physicality and possession. I thought they took a big step forward over these two games."

With the weekend over, the Red Raiders turn their attention to Big 12 competition, as they travel to Lawrence, Kansas, on Friday, Sept. 23, to battle Kansas (5-3-2) at 7 p.m., at Rock Chalk Park. Tech will then return home to play Iowa State (6-2-0) on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 1 p.m., at the John Walker Soccer Complex.