Texas Tech University Athletics
Davis, Duke Named All-Region by United Soccer Coaches
November 27, 2018 | Women's Soccer
Kirsten Davis and Jordan Duke first Red Raiders honored by United Soccer Coaches since 2014.
KANSAS CITY – The United Soccer Coaches announced Monday evening selections for All-Region teams, where Red Raiders Kirsten Davis and Jordan Duke were picked All-Midwest. Davis made Second Team as a forward while Duke was a Third Team midfield honoree.
Â
Davis, a St. Louis native, is coming off a breakout sophomore campaign during which she tallied seven goals and seven assists to lead Texas Tech in points with 21. She was one of six players in the Big 12 to record at least 20 points. Her seven assists put her seventh in program history for assists in a season. She also landed in the record books for her performance against No. 21 Princeton in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament where she tied the program record for assists (two) and shots (seven) en route to the first four-point game of her career. She was also Tech's first selection to the All-Big 12 Championship Team since 2015 after a dramatic game-tying goal against Baylor in the semi-finals.
Â
"Kirsten grew her game the entire year, and I think many of her biggest goals came towards the end of the season," said head coach Tom Stone. "We were thrilled that she was recognized by those teams on our schedule and in our region as one of the top forwards."
Â
Perhaps Davis' most memorable moment of the season came in the regular season finale against No. 17 Texas. After a thrilling 85 minutes of back-and-forth action with the Longhorns, Davis all but sealed the deal after taking a through ball from Jayne Lydiatt perfectly in stride and blasting it into the lower left corner for the score. Her defense in the final four minutes helped the Red Raiders hold on for the win and secure their fifth Big 12 win of the season – the program's most since 2013.
Â
Duke's senior campaign confirmed the beliefs of her coaches and teammates that she is one of the best holding midfielders in the country. The midfielder from Amarillo was instrumental to each one of Tech's conference-best 14 shutouts in 2018. Her defensive prowess ushered the Red Raiders to a 0.53 goals-against average, which counted as the second-lowest in program history. She contributed on the offensive end of the pitch, too, knocking in the game-winning goals at home against Abilene Christian and on the road at Loyola Marymount. Duke was also an Academic All-Big 12 Second Team honoree for the third straight year.
Â
"Jordan Duke was the player we couldn't live without this year and was easily one of the best players in the Big 12," Stone said.
Â
Duke and Davis are the first Tech duo to make All-Region teams since Janine Beckie and Jaelene Hinkle did in 2014, a point Stone made sure to celebrate.
Â
"All-Region is one step from All-American, and obviously that is pretty good company with Beckie and Hinkle," he said. "We saw Jordan Duke have her best year in four and we're just seeing the beginning of Kirsten Davis."
Â
The United Soccer Coaches will release All-America teams in the coming days. They will also post their final national and regional poll rankings next Tuesday.
Â
Â
Davis, a St. Louis native, is coming off a breakout sophomore campaign during which she tallied seven goals and seven assists to lead Texas Tech in points with 21. She was one of six players in the Big 12 to record at least 20 points. Her seven assists put her seventh in program history for assists in a season. She also landed in the record books for her performance against No. 21 Princeton in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament where she tied the program record for assists (two) and shots (seven) en route to the first four-point game of her career. She was also Tech's first selection to the All-Big 12 Championship Team since 2015 after a dramatic game-tying goal against Baylor in the semi-finals.
Â
"Kirsten grew her game the entire year, and I think many of her biggest goals came towards the end of the season," said head coach Tom Stone. "We were thrilled that she was recognized by those teams on our schedule and in our region as one of the top forwards."
Â
Perhaps Davis' most memorable moment of the season came in the regular season finale against No. 17 Texas. After a thrilling 85 minutes of back-and-forth action with the Longhorns, Davis all but sealed the deal after taking a through ball from Jayne Lydiatt perfectly in stride and blasting it into the lower left corner for the score. Her defense in the final four minutes helped the Red Raiders hold on for the win and secure their fifth Big 12 win of the season – the program's most since 2013.
Â
Duke's senior campaign confirmed the beliefs of her coaches and teammates that she is one of the best holding midfielders in the country. The midfielder from Amarillo was instrumental to each one of Tech's conference-best 14 shutouts in 2018. Her defensive prowess ushered the Red Raiders to a 0.53 goals-against average, which counted as the second-lowest in program history. She contributed on the offensive end of the pitch, too, knocking in the game-winning goals at home against Abilene Christian and on the road at Loyola Marymount. Duke was also an Academic All-Big 12 Second Team honoree for the third straight year.
Â
"Jordan Duke was the player we couldn't live without this year and was easily one of the best players in the Big 12," Stone said.
Â
Duke and Davis are the first Tech duo to make All-Region teams since Janine Beckie and Jaelene Hinkle did in 2014, a point Stone made sure to celebrate.
Â
"All-Region is one step from All-American, and obviously that is pretty good company with Beckie and Hinkle," he said. "We saw Jordan Duke have her best year in four and we're just seeing the beginning of Kirsten Davis."
Â
The United Soccer Coaches will release All-America teams in the coming days. They will also post their final national and regional poll rankings next Tuesday.
Â
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder/Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's SoccerHighlights: Baylor (Big 12 Quarterfinals)
Monday, November 03
Post Game Presser: Big 12 Quarterfinals (Baylor)
Monday, November 03
Preview Presser: Baylor (Big 12 Tounament)
Sunday, November 02
Post Game Press Conference: UCF
Friday, October 31