Tech opens Big 12 Play Thursday vs. Houston

Thursday, September 14

Lubbock, TX

7 p.m.

Texas Tech Athletics

Houston

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Tech opens Big 12 Play Thursday vs. Houston

September 13, 2023 | Women's Soccer

Game Notes (Houston) Watch Live Stats Tickets

The Red Raiders and Cougars meet for the first time as conference foes

By: Andrew Stern

LUBBOCK, Texas – The Texas Tech women's soccer team opens Big 12 Conference play on Thursday night when they welcome new Big 12 foe Houston the John Walker Soccer Complex.

In a battle between two of the most dynamic offensive teams in the country, Texas Tech and Houston will meet for the first time as conference foes.

The match will have a Surfs Up, Guns Up theme as the first 150 fans will receive a Texas Tech beach tote and the first 150 students will receive a Tortilla Towel.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
MATCHUP: RV Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-0-2, 0-0-0) vs. Houston Cougars (6-1-1, 0-0-0)
DATE: Thursday, September 14, 2023
TIME: 7 p.m.
LOCATION: Lubbock, Texas

LAST TIME OUT:
Powered by a 72nd minute strike from captain Hannah Anderson and a program record 30th clean sheet from Madison White, the Texas Tech soccer program closed out an unbeaten non-conference slate Sunday morning, defeating Arizona State 1-0.

With the 30th shutout, White passed all-time great Victoria Esson on the all-time clean sheet list. With the win, Texas Tech (6-0-2) extends its regular season unbeaten streak to 15 consecutive matches dating back to the 2022 season.

The Red Raiders are also now a perfect 4-0 in 2023 when facing an unbeaten opponent. Over those four matches (Abilene Christian, Arizona State, North Texas and New Mexico State), the Red Raiders have outscored the opponent by a 15-1 margin. Arizona State (4-1-3) was led by its goalie Pauline Nelles who recorded five saves on the afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Tech got off to a flying start on Sunday using strong early runs from Ashleigh Williams and freshman Sam Courtwright to apply pressure on the Sun Devil backline.

In the 30th minute, Tech presented one of its best chances to score when reserve Elise Anderson made a strong run deep into the Arizona State third.

Working up the left-hand flank, Anderson worked a one-two with Kaitlyn Giametta to free up space. Moving toward the endline, the defender ripped a cross that bounced off of Williams and wide.

Just moments later the duo was again involved in another strong scoring chance, as Anderson flicked a perfect ball deep into the Sun Devils six that connected with Giametta.

The junior sent a perfect header with pace right on target, but Nelles was able to punch the attempt wide. Over the final seven minutes of the half, Tech nor ASU were able to record a scoring chance as the match went to the half scoreless.

In the 54th minute, Tech again had a strong opportunity to score, when senior Alex Kerr made a run deep into the ASU defensive third. With an opening to goal, Kerr ripped a shot that narrowly missed the lower right-hand corner of the net.

As the match continued to wind down, Tech continued to dominate the run of play in search of the go-ahead goal. Midway through the 71st minute, the Red Raiders finally broke through when a pair of defenders connected on a set piece goal.

As she has for her entire career, Macy Blackburn provided the spark, sending a perfect corner toward the back-left post. The ball connected with a wide-open Hannah Anderson, who scored her second goal of the season. With the assist, Blackburn has now recorded a team-best seven assists this season, moving into sixth place on the all-time Tech assists list. Armed with a lead for the first time, White and the Red Raider backline made the goal standup, as Tech closed out a 1-0 victory to close out a perfect 6-0-2 non-conference record.

QUICK KICKS:
• The Texas Tech Red Raiders return home for the Big 12 Conference opener against new conference foe Houston on Thursday. Entering the contest with a 15-match unbeaten streak and at 6-0-2 overall, Tech is second amongst teams receiving votes in this week's United Soccer Coaches Poll.

• With a victory Texas Tech could tie the longest unbeaten streak in program history (16; 2013).The Red Raiders would also remain unbeaten to open the 2023 season. Tech last was unbeaten through nine matches during the 2014 when they started 9-0 enroute to the Sweet Sixteen.

• Thursday's matchup pits two of the best and most dynamic offensive teams in the country, as the Houston and Tech have combined to score 52 goals in 16 total games. The Cougars and Red Raiders are two of six teams in the country to have a goal differential of +20 or better.

• The Red Raiders enter the weekend second in the country in total assists (32) and assists per game (4).

SCOUTING THE COUGARS:
• Like the Red Raiders, Houston enters Thursday's match with six wins. The Cougars are 6-1-1 after suffering their first loss last Sunday night against Texas State. The 1-0 loss, snapped a six-match winning streak for UofH. Over that streak, Houston outscored its opponents 28-7.

• Houston has a couple of former Red Raiders as its roster in goalie Olivia Dietrich and midfielder Alexis Fowlkes. On the season Dietrich has started and played six of the Cougs eight matches while Fowlkes has started and play in all eight matches this season. The junior recorded her first career goal back on Sept. 3 against Louisiana Tech.

• Four different UofH players have scored at least three goals led by Cameryn Maddox who has a team-high seven through the season's first eight matches. A sophomore from Snellville, Ga., Maddox has three muti-goal games and has recorded at least two shots in every match this season.

• In goal, Houston has allowed just eight goals this season, making 34 saves. Dietrich has recorded 26 of those saves and has an .813 save percentage.

UP NEXT:
The Red Raiders following a weekend off will return to action a week from Thursday (Sept. 21) against the University of Texas. First kick from Austin is set for 7 p.m.