No. 22 Red Raiders Fall in Big 12 Opener

Friday, September 21

Lubbock, Texas

7:15 p.m.

Texas Tech Athletics

8-2-0

West Virginia

5-2-3

West Virginia

Texas Tech

No. 22 Red Raiders Fall in Big 12 Opener

September 21, 2018 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

Texas Tech shut out for just second time this season.

By: Jeremy O'Brien

LUBBOCK, Texas – No. 22 Texas Tech was on the losing end of the scoreboard for just the second time this season, dropping a 2-0 decision to conference rival West Virginia to open Big 12 play. The Red Raiders and their opponent went into the halftime break scoreless for the second straight game, but the Mountaineers put two goals in during the second half to come away with the road win.

The Red Raiders got off to a quick start, earning a corner just a minute into the game. Jade King, the team's leading goal scorer, got a shot off a minute later that just went wide. The pressure would dissipate, however, as the Mountaineers maintained a steady hold on possession for the next 20 minutes. During that time, they put three shots on net.

At the 25-minute mark, Tech switched to the offensive. They would spend the rest of the half as the ones taking shots and running plays in the opposition's territory. Before the first 45 were over, Tech would take three more shots and have three more corner opportunities.

"They got their rhythm before we did, and I was proud of our team for weathering that piece of the game when they were seemingly on top of us," said head coach Tom Stone. "We fought back, slowed it down and got a good possession rhythm ourselves. I think we did great to get to the half."

When the two teams emerged from their locker rooms after failing to score in the first half, it was West Virginia that would strike first. Much like Tech threatened two minutes into the game, it was the Mountaineers that did so in the opening minutes of the second half. A quick break allowed Nadya Gill to lead Lauren Segalia in front of net, who buried it to put WVU up 1-0. The goal was just the second second-half goal conceded by the Red Raiders all season, and the first that put them behind.

Nearly 20 minutes of physical play later – there were 19 fouls called in the second half – the Mountaineers extended their lead after being granted a penalty kick that they proceeded to convert on.

For Stone and his squad, the memory of Friday's loss needs to be wiped quickly, as another Big 12 opponent visits Lubbock Sunday in the form of Iowa State.

"Our team is resilient," said Stone. "They're not happy about the result and they're not happy about the way we played, but they're also excited that we're in the Big 12 season. We recognize that every game is a chance for three points, and we need to get those three on Sunday."

The Red Raiders and Cyclones will get underway at noon for the first home day game of the season. Tech holds an all-time record of 10-11-1 against ISU but have won five of the last six meetings between the two.

Tickets can be purchased here, and it will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Southwest Plus.