Tech Completes Comeback In 2-1 Thriller Over ASU

Friday, September 8

Tucson, Ariz.

6:30 p.m.

Texas Tech Athletics

5-1-0

Arizona State

1-3-1

Texas Tech

Arizona State

Tech Completes Comeback In 2-1 Thriller Over ASU

September 08, 2017 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Griffin's First Goal Griffin's Second Goal

Ally Griffin scores twice to help the Red Raiders pick up a 2-1 victory over the Sun Devils.

TUCSON, Arizona – The Texas Tech soccer team began the weekend with a wild 2-1 win over Arizona State on Friday night to kick off the University of Arizona Tournament at Mulcahy Stadium.

Freshman forward Ally Griffin tallied both goals for the Red Raiders (5-1-0), scoring in the 16^th & 88^th minutes of the match against the Sun Devils (1-3-1). The win improved to Tech to 4-0-0 all-time against Arizona State, with all four meetings coming every other year since 2011. It was the first time this season the Red Raiders had given up a goal in a victory and the first time in the all-time series, outscoring the Sun Devils 9-1 over the four contests. The previous four wins this year have come via shutout performances.

"What a tremendous effort from our girls," head coach Tom Stone said. "Not only did they play very well, but we were a man down from the 52nd minute and never missed a beat. ASU is a very athletic Pac-12 team and was difficult to break down with all the players they got behind the ball.

"But our girls really persevered and fought through it all and got a well-earned, albeit dramatic game winner in the final moments to get the win. Coach Payne and Coach Keeton did a fantastic job moving players around and keeping us fresh for that final push. Those guys were also terrific tonight."

It was part of a five-shot night for Griffin, who accounted for nearly half of Tech's 11 shots. Tech earned seven corners, as opposed to ASU's five, as both teams benefited on the scoreboard from a successful CK attempt.

Both of Tech's goals came after the Sun Devils drew first blood in the 14^th minute. A corner kick from the right side bounced off another Sun Devil and resulted in a goal from ASU's Edwards, giving the Sun Devils an early 1-0 lead.

The Red Raiders showed their resiliency after facing an early deficit and knotted up the match less than two minutes later after a corner kick of their own. The service from sophomore midfielder Jordie Harr was executed perfectly and found the head of a leaping Griffin, who sent the ball to the right corner of the net for the score.

"We felt like the goal we gave up had come against the run of play and our response was exactly what you want--we basically kicked off, earned a corner of our own and equalized within two minutes," Stone said. "Harr's corner was on the money to the back post and Ally G. just went up and got it amongst a crowd of defenders."

Tech led in every category at the break, as the match sat tied at 1 after 45 minutes of play. Just like the first period, the Red Raiders had to overcome more adversity after losing junior midfielder Carly Wickenheiser to a red card only six minutes into the second half.

Having to field 10 players for the final 39 minutes of action, Tech staved off six Sun Devil shots, including one on goal, thanks to a great performance by the Red Raider defensive unit.

Despite being down a student-athlete, Tech rattled off four shots, two on frame, and fought to earn three more corners during the second half. The biggest shot of the second period came with time winding down in the 88^th minute, as Tech worked the ball down the field and kept possession on a pair of throw-ins from the left sideline.

After fielding the bal at the left corner of the box, Griffin controlled it and moved toward the top of the box. In a play reminiscent of her first career goal against Appalachian State last Sunday, Griffin fired a strike from the top of the box and into the back of the net with two minutes remaining to put Tech ahead, 2-1.

"Ally came back on with less than 10 to go and when she picked up the throw in and darted inside, a small window opened up for her and she hammered it near post for the winner," Stone said. "Needless to say, the bench and team went nuts. It was a very mature goal from a freshman."

It was the first multi-goal game of the season for a Red Raider, giving her a team-lead of three tallies in 2017.

Freshman keeper Marissa Zucchetto picked up the only save of the night for the Red Raiders in the final minute of the match and Tech withstood a last-chance push from the Sun Devils to complete the come-from-behind win on Friday night.

"I thought [Jordan] Duke, [Kamy] Birk and Carly [Wickenheiser] were fantastic tonight, along with another strong performance from our backline," Stone said. "When your back six play that well, it sets the table for [Jordie] Harr, [Gwennie] Puente, [Ally] Griffin and [Kirsten] Davis to do their thing at the other end. The bench was great as well keeping us going with a lot of energy. That was as much of total team effort as we could ask for."

Tech returns to action on for its final road non-conference match of the season on Sunday night at 8 p.m. CDT against host Arizona at Mulcahy Stadium.