Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders to Play Houston Dash
March 27, 2019 | Women's Soccer
Texas Tech begins second half of spring with exhibition against Houston NWSL club.
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech soccer will get the second half of the 2019 spring season underway Saturday with a match against the Houston Dash. The Red Raiders will be taking on the National Women's Soccer League club in an exhibition that will provide a unique opportunity for the squad to compete against professionals.
"We want to see what sort of imprint their behavior, intensity and tactical understanding can leave on our players," head coach Tom Stone said. "To compete against this level is a win for us either way, and our players who have professional aspirations can learn a ton from this opportunity."
Stone also emphasized that Saturday's game is meant to be beneficial to the Dash as well.
"We want to help them get ready for their season," he said. "They're the pro team in Texas and we want them to be ready, so we need to play as hard as we can so they can get something out of it, too."
Tech's last trip to play the Dash was in 2014 with a roster that ironically included three future Dash players. Janine Beckie, Caity Heap and Alli Murphy were all juniors when the Red Raiders met the Dash for a spring contest. Beckie and Heap both rattled off early shots that nearly gave Tech the lead in the opening minutes. Just two years later, the Dash would select Beckie with the eighth overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft. Heap attended training camp with the Dash later that year, and, just before the start of the season, was offered a contract to fill the final roster spot. Murphy made her way to the Dash in 2018 after playing professionally with the Washington Spirit upon graduation from Tech. The three Red Raiders combined to play nearly 60 games in a Dash uniform.
The Dash team the Red Raiders will play Saturday will look much different than the one Tech players previously suited up for. Houston is coming off a 9-10-5 season in which they finished sixth in the NWSL. New head coach James Clarkson is three months into his tenure at the helm of the Dash, and he will be using Tech as a way to prep for his first season with the club.
"They're a pro team in transition," said Stone. "They've got a new coach and a fairly new roster, but from my understanding the chemistry in their camp is really good and the team is excited about their future. It will be interesting to see what team they put out in 2019, but I have a feeling this is going to be one of the better Dash teams in recent memory."
Tech's second-ever clash with an NWSL team is coming at an exciting time for the program. Like the Dash, the Red Raiders' lineup has undergone some changes since graduating five starters after an historic 2018 season. Stone has been pleased with the growth he has seen in the absence of those seniors.
"We knew we had a lot of ground to cover because we graduated so many starting players – most of whom are now playing professionally around the world," he said. "Those are big shoes to fill, and we've got to create our own identity. Watching this team evolve has been fun, and I've seen some players start to come out of their shells and take charge of their future in this program. That's what the spring is all about."
Tech's matchup with the Dash is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. Fans can follow along on Twitter @TexasTechSoccer.
"We want to see what sort of imprint their behavior, intensity and tactical understanding can leave on our players," head coach Tom Stone said. "To compete against this level is a win for us either way, and our players who have professional aspirations can learn a ton from this opportunity."
Stone also emphasized that Saturday's game is meant to be beneficial to the Dash as well.
"We want to help them get ready for their season," he said. "They're the pro team in Texas and we want them to be ready, so we need to play as hard as we can so they can get something out of it, too."
Tech's last trip to play the Dash was in 2014 with a roster that ironically included three future Dash players. Janine Beckie, Caity Heap and Alli Murphy were all juniors when the Red Raiders met the Dash for a spring contest. Beckie and Heap both rattled off early shots that nearly gave Tech the lead in the opening minutes. Just two years later, the Dash would select Beckie with the eighth overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft. Heap attended training camp with the Dash later that year, and, just before the start of the season, was offered a contract to fill the final roster spot. Murphy made her way to the Dash in 2018 after playing professionally with the Washington Spirit upon graduation from Tech. The three Red Raiders combined to play nearly 60 games in a Dash uniform.
The Dash team the Red Raiders will play Saturday will look much different than the one Tech players previously suited up for. Houston is coming off a 9-10-5 season in which they finished sixth in the NWSL. New head coach James Clarkson is three months into his tenure at the helm of the Dash, and he will be using Tech as a way to prep for his first season with the club.
"They're a pro team in transition," said Stone. "They've got a new coach and a fairly new roster, but from my understanding the chemistry in their camp is really good and the team is excited about their future. It will be interesting to see what team they put out in 2019, but I have a feeling this is going to be one of the better Dash teams in recent memory."
Tech's second-ever clash with an NWSL team is coming at an exciting time for the program. Like the Dash, the Red Raiders' lineup has undergone some changes since graduating five starters after an historic 2018 season. Stone has been pleased with the growth he has seen in the absence of those seniors.
"We knew we had a lot of ground to cover because we graduated so many starting players – most of whom are now playing professionally around the world," he said. "Those are big shoes to fill, and we've got to create our own identity. Watching this team evolve has been fun, and I've seen some players start to come out of their shells and take charge of their future in this program. That's what the spring is all about."
Tech's matchup with the Dash is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. Fans can follow along on Twitter @TexasTechSoccer.
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