Texas Tech University Athletics
Credit: FIFA
Photo by: FIFA
Esson powers New Zealand to World Cup win
July 20, 2023 | Women's Soccer
Esson played for the Red Raiders from 2011-13
EDEN PARK, Auckland – Former Texas Tech star Victoria Esson tallied a clean sheet to power New Zealand to a 1-0 win over No. 12 Norway and earn her home country's first win ever win in the FIFA Women's World Cup Thursday.
Esson, a member of the Red Raider soccer squad from 2011-13, prevented 11 goals en route to the shutout victory. The win marked New Zealand's first ever FIFA Women's World Cup win, upsetting the 12th-ranked Norway in front of a record-breaking home crowd.
Esson is the lone Red Raider playing in this year's FIFA World Cup. She has etched her name into Texas Tech Soccer history, holding the single-game saves record and the career shutouts record. The Christchurch, New Zealand native was a 2012 All-Big 12 First Team member and was the first player in Big 12 history to win Defensive Player of the Week four times in a single season.
New Zealand's next match will be against Phillipines on Tuesday, July 27 at 12:30 a.m. on FS1.
Esson, a member of the Red Raider soccer squad from 2011-13, prevented 11 goals en route to the shutout victory. The win marked New Zealand's first ever FIFA Women's World Cup win, upsetting the 12th-ranked Norway in front of a record-breaking home crowd.
WE'VE DONE IT!!!!!!! ????
— New Zealand Football ???? (@NZ_Football) July 20, 2023
OUR FIRST EVER WIN AT A @FIFAWWC ??#NZL #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/SzuejPySG3
Amazing to see 42,137 of you here tonight, the biggest crowd in New Zealand football history ??#NZL #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/1e48uNldK1
— New Zealand Football ???? (@NZ_Football) July 20, 2023
Esson is the lone Red Raider playing in this year's FIFA World Cup. She has etched her name into Texas Tech Soccer history, holding the single-game saves record and the career shutouts record. The Christchurch, New Zealand native was a 2012 All-Big 12 First Team member and was the first player in Big 12 history to win Defensive Player of the Week four times in a single season.
New Zealand's next match will be against Phillipines on Tuesday, July 27 at 12:30 a.m. on FS1.
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