Davis, Tech Roll Past No. 21 Princeton in First Round

Friday, November 9

Lubbock, Texas

6:00 P.M.

Texas Tech Athletics

14-3-2 (5-1-1)

Princeton

13-6-2 (5-3-1)

Princeton

Texas Tech

Davis, Tech Roll Past No. 21 Princeton in First Round

November 09, 2018 | Women's Soccer

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Tech will advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where they will face Virginia.

By: Jeremy O'Brien

LUBBOCK, Texas – Sophomore Kirsten Davis had a hand in all three Texas Tech goals in a rout of No. 21 Princeton Friday night that saw the Red Raiders advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in program history and first time since 2015.

The forward from St. Louis helped open the scoring in the eighth minute with a perfect cross that found a waiting Jade King at the top of the Princeton box. King kept cool and corralled the pass before ripping it past the Tigers keeper to put the Red Raiders out in front early.

8' | GOOOOOAAALLLLL!

A breakaway gives Kirsten Davis a chance at a cross, and her perfect delivery arrives at a waiting Jade King who puts it in to open the scoring!

TTU 1??
PRIN 0??#WreckEm pic.twitter.com/WKcnqN9x6b
— Texas Tech Soccer (@TexasTechSoccer) November 10, 2018

The score – King's eighth of the season – appeared to get the blood flowing in both teams, as the next 20 minutes turned into a physical back-and-forth with Tech and Princeton fighting hard for possession. Princeton rattled off three shots on Red Raider keeper Marissa Zucchetto, forcing her to make two difficult saves. Zucchetto handled them well, though, charging out of net twice to grab the ball before it could be too much cause for concern.

The Davis-King connection that opened scoring held through the remainder of the first half as the squads hit the locker room looking at a scoreboard that read 1-0 in favor of the Red Raiders. When the teams emerged, the Red Raiders left no question of who was determined to grab the momentum to start the second 45 when they rattled off five shots – two on goal – in the first five minutes.

After several more chances, Tech finally doubled its lead on a 58^th-minute goal that felt like it was a long time coming. A great pass by Ally Griffin hit Davis on the run just outside the 18-yard box, who continued charging towards net despite lots of contact by a Princeton defender trying to keep pace with her. At the last second, Davis slotted it past the keeper right-side and into the net for her seventh score of the season.

58' | GOOOOOAAALLLLL!

Ally Griffin wins possession and dishes it to Davis, who battles pressure while charging into the box and slots it past the keeper to double our lead!

TTU 2??
PRIN 0??#WreckEm pic.twitter.com/kBy6RqruXm
— Texas Tech Soccer (@TexasTechSoccer) November 10, 2018

It only seemed right then, that, in the 66^th minute, Davis paved the way for another goal – this one the dagger that put the Red Raiders comfortably in front. This time running down the right side of the field, Davis chased down a long pass while a group of Tech attackers converged on the six-yard box. She was able to get a cross off right before it went out of bounds for a goal kick, and it was met by a crashing Charlotte Teeter, who headed it past the keeper while running into the net.

Take a bow, @kirstendavis22! ??#WreckEm pic.twitter.com/Wv9j2RWMcC
— Texas Tech Soccer (@TexasTechSoccer) November 10, 2018

The win keeps Tech's undefeated NCAA Tournament streak alive at the John Walker Complex. Now 5-0 when hosting opening round matches, the Red Raiders have still yet to allow a goal in Lubbock.

The dance goes on for @TexasTechSoccer! ??#NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/jIqEsTzYXn
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 10, 2018

The win also earns Tech a spot in the second round, where they will play No. 12 Virginia. Though it is not yet confirmed, the most likely location for the game will be Baylor.