Tech welcomes UNT Thursday in battle of unbeatens

LUBBOCK, Texas – Fresh off a strong 3-0 win over Utah State, the Texas Tech women's soccer program welcomes the University of North Texas on Thursday night for a battle of two of the nation's unbeaten programs.

Entering the night riding an 10-match unbeaten streak in the regular season, Tech will look to win four straight matches for the first time since Oct. 6-20 last season when the Red Raiders defeated Kansas State, Kansas, Baylor and Iowa State.

Thursday's match will serve as Tech soccer's "Code Red" match, as all fans are encouraged to wear "red" for the match.

The first 200 fans will receive a color-changing cup.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
MATCHUP: Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-0-1) vs. North Texas Mean Green (4-0-0)
DATE: Aug. 31, 2023
TIME: 7 p.m.
LOCATION: Lubbock, Texas (John Walker Soccer Complex)

LAST TIME OUT:
Powered by another brace from junior Ashleigh Williams, the Texas Tech Red Raiders rolled to a 3-0 win over Utah State Sunday afternoon at the John Walker Soccer Complex.

Originally slated for a 7 p.m. kick under the lights, the match was moved to an afternoon affair due to pending inclement weather.

Unfazed by the earlier kick, Texas Tech (3-0-1) got off to a dream start, when sophomore Kylie Bahr made a beautiful run down the left flank.

Bahr raced toward the Utah State (1-3) box in the first minute of the match and sent a perfect ball that found a wide open Williams. The junior deposited the ball into the back of the net, scoring her then sixth goal of the season.

The strike, which came just 71 seconds into the match, gave Tech a 1-0 lead.

Sunday's match remained 1-0 until a strong sequence was started by reserve Kaitlyn Giametta. Entering the match three minutes early, Giametta rocketed a shot that was deflected out by USU keeper Diera Walton for a corner.

After the ball was once again knocked out of bounds for a corner, freshman Sam Courtwright delivered a perfect service that found Hannah Anderson in the box.

Anderson redirected it with her head, in the direction of Williams, who on a rebound buried her second goal of the afternoon, fifth of the week and seventh of the season.

Entering the day of action, seven goals would lead the entire country.

Armed with a two goal lead, Tech cruised over the final 10 minutes and change of the first half, heading to the break with a 2-0 lead.

After Utah State's Rine Yonaha recorded the Aggies first shot on goal that was saved by Madison White, the Red Raiders quickly answered the threat with the decisive third goal.

As she has all season, Macy Blackburn started the threat when she made the perfect run up the right-hand side. The defender crossed a perfect ball that found a wide open Alex Kerr. Kerr attempted to cross the ball back post, but her attempt was blocked by an Aggies defender.

The deflection however fell right to Gisselle Kozarksi, who rocketed a shot past Walton for her first goal of the season.

Kozarski's strike gave the Red Raiders a commanding 3-0 lead with just 28 minutes to play.

Over the final third of the match, Tech was able to go into cruise control, as Utah State managed just one shot (in the 88th minute).

With the victory, Tech remains unbeaten on the season and now will take an eight-match regular season unbeaten streak into Thursday's contest against UNT. The Red Raiders are also now 4-0 in their last four home matches dating back to the 2022 season and have yet to trail in 2023.

As she has been her entire career, goalie Madison White was solid in the win recording her 28th career clean sheet, just one away from tying Victoria Essons' program record. The keeper recorded a pair of saves to move to within three saves from becoming the sixth Tech goalie to record 200 career saves.

With her two goals this afternoon, Williams recorded her 23rd and 24th career goals, moving the Allen native into a tie for seventh all-time on the Tech all-time scoring mark. With her four points today, Williams also became the 10th Red Raider to record 50 career points.

As previously mentioned Williams has now scored seven times in just four matches this season bringing her goal total over the last 14 matches to an impressive 16.

QUICK KICKS:
• Tom Stone and the Texas Tech Red Raiders continue a five-match homestand on Thursday when they welcome the North Texas Mean Green to the John Walker Soccer Complex.
• The Red Raiders have now outscored opponents 12-1 this season at the John Walker Soccer Complex.
• Junior Ashleigh Williams recorded one of the best weeks by a Red Raider in program history, winning both Big 12 Player of the Week and The United Soccer Coaches Association National Player of the Week.
• With her five-goal performance last week, Williams vaulted into the national lead in both goals (7) and goals per game (1.75).
• The Allen native became the first Red Raider in program history to record multiple goals in three straight games and now has 16 goals in her last 14 games of action.
• Williams isnt alone at the top of the national leader boards as teammate Macy Blackburn is currently fourth in the country in assists (4).
• As a team, the Red Raiders lead the country in assists, with 18. Tech is tied with both Big 12 foe Oklahoma and Texas.
• Goalie Madison White continues to stare down multiple Texas Tech program records. After recording a clean sheet in Sunday's victory against Utah State, her 28th career, White needs one more clean sheet to tie Victoria Esson for the most in program history.

SCOUTING THE MEAN GREEN:
• Entering the match with a perfect 4-0 record UNT hits the road on Thursday for a trip to Lubbock after recording wins at UNLV (3-0), vs. Northwestern State (3-0), at Texas State (3-0) and against Texas A&M-Commerce (3-1).
• Outscoring opponents 12-1 overall this season, UNT has been led by Summer Brown and Jenna Sheely who have scored six of UNTs 12 goals. Brown also has an assist on the year and has a team best 7 points.
• After seeing a 298 minute scoreless streak snapped last match against A&M Commerce, UNTs Maddie Ogden has made 15 saves in four matches this season.
• UNT was picked to finish third in the American Conference Preseason poll, falling behind nationally-ranked Memphis and receiving votes SMU. Forwards Kat Burnell and Bailey Wesco as well as senior defender Rachel Roebuck were all named to the 2023 American Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Watch List.
• Moving to the American Conference after a dominant run through Conference USA, UNT won eight conference championships through its 10 seasons in CUSA after finishing 16-6-2 last season.

UP NEXT:
The Red Raiders close out the five-match homestand on Sunday afternoon against Abilene Christian. First kick is set for 1 p.m.

Tech welcomes UNT Thursday in battle of unbeatens

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Players Mentioned

Hannah Anderson

Kylie Bahr

Macy Blackburn

Alex Kerr

Madison White

Ashleigh Williams