Texas Tech University Athletics
Soccer Closes Spring With 1-1 Draw Vs. LSU
April 16, 2018 | Women's Soccer
The Red Raiders tied the Tigers on Saturday in Bossier City
BOSSIER CITY, Louisiana – Texas Tech soccer concluded its six-match spring slate with a 1-1 draw against LSU on Saturday at First Baptist-Bossier City in Louisiana.
This was the third-straight year Tech has been featured in the Spring Classic, posting a 3-1 win over LSU in 2016, followed by a 6-0 rout of Northwestern State last year.
"We look forward to this event every year," head coach Tom Stone said. "Pastor Brad Jurkovich and First Baptist-Bossier do an amazing job hosting us and built a terrific environment around this game. Red Raider nation came out in force and this game had the feel of a real fall contest and both teams really got after it."
The finale pulled the Red Raiders to a 4-1-1 mark over its spring schedule. Tech picked up victories over New Mexico (4-1), West Texas A&M (2-0), Abilene Christian (4-0) and Oklahoma State (2-1), while dropping a tight 2-1 decision at Rice.
Tech drew first blood midway through the first half when spring enrollee Mackenzie Coons slipped junior Mary Heiberger in behind the LSU defense. From there, Heiberger sent a cross to another new member of the roster, transfer Jayne Lydiatt, who buried the finish to give the Red Raiders a 1-0 lead.
"We had to adjust quickly to the size and physicality of a quality LSU squad and once we settled in and got the ball moving, we created some good chances," Stone said. "Mackenzie's ball to Mary and the subsequent serve and finish by Lydiatt was a great sequence to get us the lead."
The second half saw a determined Tiger squad equalize in the first 10 minutes, setting up a thriller final 35 minutes of the frame to end the spring in a draw.
"Their goal definitely tightened things up a bit, but we weathered their push and got back on top of the game," Stone said. "Most importantly, our forwards came to life after a slow first half up top. Ally Griffin and Kirsten Davis caused problems for our opponent for the rest of the game and created more than enough opportunities to finish off the game.
"The challenge at the other end was also an issue, as LSU's forwards were super dangerous, especially in the last 10 minutes when the game could have gone either way. Fortunately, our defense stiffened after the goal and kept the score even."
The Red Raiders have been a staple in postseason play over the last six years, earning an NCAA Tournament berth in five of six years. Tech will return the bulk of its core, graduating four seniors, while adding three mid-year enrollees and eight on National Signing Day to get ready for an exciting 2018 campaign.
2018 TEXAS TECH SPRING SCHEDULE
February 24 – vs. New Mexico - W, 4-1
March 3 – vs. West Texas A&M – W, 2-0
March 3 – vs. Abilene Christian – W, 4-0
March 31 – vs. Oklahoma State in Denton – W, 2-1
April 7 – at Rice – L, 2-1
April 14 – at LSU in Bossier City – T, 1-1
This was the third-straight year Tech has been featured in the Spring Classic, posting a 3-1 win over LSU in 2016, followed by a 6-0 rout of Northwestern State last year.
"We look forward to this event every year," head coach Tom Stone said. "Pastor Brad Jurkovich and First Baptist-Bossier do an amazing job hosting us and built a terrific environment around this game. Red Raider nation came out in force and this game had the feel of a real fall contest and both teams really got after it."
The finale pulled the Red Raiders to a 4-1-1 mark over its spring schedule. Tech picked up victories over New Mexico (4-1), West Texas A&M (2-0), Abilene Christian (4-0) and Oklahoma State (2-1), while dropping a tight 2-1 decision at Rice.
Tech drew first blood midway through the first half when spring enrollee Mackenzie Coons slipped junior Mary Heiberger in behind the LSU defense. From there, Heiberger sent a cross to another new member of the roster, transfer Jayne Lydiatt, who buried the finish to give the Red Raiders a 1-0 lead.
"We had to adjust quickly to the size and physicality of a quality LSU squad and once we settled in and got the ball moving, we created some good chances," Stone said. "Mackenzie's ball to Mary and the subsequent serve and finish by Lydiatt was a great sequence to get us the lead."
The second half saw a determined Tiger squad equalize in the first 10 minutes, setting up a thriller final 35 minutes of the frame to end the spring in a draw.
"Their goal definitely tightened things up a bit, but we weathered their push and got back on top of the game," Stone said. "Most importantly, our forwards came to life after a slow first half up top. Ally Griffin and Kirsten Davis caused problems for our opponent for the rest of the game and created more than enough opportunities to finish off the game.
"The challenge at the other end was also an issue, as LSU's forwards were super dangerous, especially in the last 10 minutes when the game could have gone either way. Fortunately, our defense stiffened after the goal and kept the score even."
The Red Raiders have been a staple in postseason play over the last six years, earning an NCAA Tournament berth in five of six years. Tech will return the bulk of its core, graduating four seniors, while adding three mid-year enrollees and eight on National Signing Day to get ready for an exciting 2018 campaign.
2018 TEXAS TECH SPRING SCHEDULE
February 24 – vs. New Mexico - W, 4-1
March 3 – vs. West Texas A&M – W, 2-0
March 3 – vs. Abilene Christian – W, 4-0
March 31 – vs. Oklahoma State in Denton – W, 2-1
April 7 – at Rice – L, 2-1
April 14 – at LSU in Bossier City – T, 1-1
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
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