Texas Tech University Athletics
Friday, September 18
Lubbock, Texas
5:30 P.M.
Texas Tech Athletics
vs
Baylor
Tech Prepped for Home Opener with Baylor
September 17, 2020 | Women's Soccer
Red Raiders begin fall campaign Friday on national television.
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech will open its 2020 fall season Friday with a home match against Baylor. The Big 12 favorite Red Raiders will look to continue their recent success over the Bears after besting them twice last year.
Head coach Tom Stone spoke on the team's mentality going into opening weekend against an opponent like Baylor.
"They've got trophies in their cases and have a great coaching staff," said Stone. "We enjoy the game because they are so competitive."
The Red Raiders, having missed out on their opening weekend due to the Big 12's COVID-19 match interruption protocols, will face the unique challenge of meeting with a Baylor squad that already has a game under its belt. The Bears played TCU to a 0-0 draw last weekend.
"[At practice] You're always holding back just enough to not get your teammate hurt," said Stone. "Baylor has played someone who will knock you down and not care if you get back up. There's no doubt they come into the first 20 minutes with an advantage in that regard. Once we get through that first 20 and let the game settle down, though, we'll do our thing from there."
Undoubtedly, one of Baylor's objectives in those first 20 minutes – and the game as a whole – will be to slow down Tech's returning First Team All-American, Kirsten Davis. Davis, who was a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy last season, punched in all three goals against the Bears in 2019 as the Red Raiders secured three points in Waco before ending Baylor's season by knocking them out of the Big 12 Championship.
Though the Bears are known for their physicality, one unavoidable question presents itself: which players from which teams will be healthy and available on game day, and how will that change the way they play? Thinking about this too much can detract from the primary focus of playing your own game, something Davis, who Thursday was named a captain, will make sure her team understands.
"We need to stay true to what we do every day," said Davis. "You have certain things you prepare for as far as what you could expect from a team come game time, but as long as we stay focused on us and what we've been working on all summer long we'll be good."
The nationally-televised match will kick off at 5:30 p.m. on ESPNU. Tickets are available for purchase here. Please click here to review policies for tickets and admission for the 2020 season.
Head coach Tom Stone spoke on the team's mentality going into opening weekend against an opponent like Baylor.
"They've got trophies in their cases and have a great coaching staff," said Stone. "We enjoy the game because they are so competitive."
The Red Raiders, having missed out on their opening weekend due to the Big 12's COVID-19 match interruption protocols, will face the unique challenge of meeting with a Baylor squad that already has a game under its belt. The Bears played TCU to a 0-0 draw last weekend.
"[At practice] You're always holding back just enough to not get your teammate hurt," said Stone. "Baylor has played someone who will knock you down and not care if you get back up. There's no doubt they come into the first 20 minutes with an advantage in that regard. Once we get through that first 20 and let the game settle down, though, we'll do our thing from there."
One day... ?
— Texas Tech Soccer (@TexasTechSoccer) September 17, 2020
This squad is locked in. pic.twitter.com/eWqhcPGSvy
Undoubtedly, one of Baylor's objectives in those first 20 minutes – and the game as a whole – will be to slow down Tech's returning First Team All-American, Kirsten Davis. Davis, who was a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy last season, punched in all three goals against the Bears in 2019 as the Red Raiders secured three points in Waco before ending Baylor's season by knocking them out of the Big 12 Championship.
Though the Bears are known for their physicality, one unavoidable question presents itself: which players from which teams will be healthy and available on game day, and how will that change the way they play? Thinking about this too much can detract from the primary focus of playing your own game, something Davis, who Thursday was named a captain, will make sure her team understands.
"We need to stay true to what we do every day," said Davis. "You have certain things you prepare for as far as what you could expect from a team come game time, but as long as we stay focused on us and what we've been working on all summer long we'll be good."
The nationally-televised match will kick off at 5:30 p.m. on ESPNU. Tickets are available for purchase here. Please click here to review policies for tickets and admission for the 2020 season.
Players Mentioned
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