Parsons PK, Nguyen’s heroics push No. 19 Tech past WVU, 1-0

Thursday, October 17

Morgantown, W. Va.

6 p.m.

Texas Tech Athletics

12-2-2, 7-0-2

West Virginia

10-4-2, 6-2-1

Texas Tech

West Virginia

Parsons PK, Nguyen’s heroics push No. 19 Tech past WVU, 1-0

October 17, 2024 | Women's Soccer

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The forward nailed a first half PK, while the GK made a key PK save in the win

By: Andrew Stern

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – A Peyton Parsons first half penalty kick, and a diving save on a PK from goalkeeper Faith Nguyen, pushed No. 19 Texas Tech past West Virginia, 1-0 Thursday night at Dick Dlesk Stadium.

Seeking its seventh win in the last eight games and looking to extend its unbeaten streak to 12 straight, Texas Tech (12-2-2, 7-0-2 Big 12) got the clutch moments from Parsons and Nguyen to close out the programs first win in Morgantown since 2019.

After a tight defensive battle started to slowly open before halftime, the Red Raiders tallied the first shot on goal of the match in the 26th minute when Kaitlyn Giametta ripped a low shot that was smothered by WVU (10-4-2, 6-2-1 Big 12) goalkeeper Mackenzie Smith.

The Mountaineers tallied their first shot on goal with 18 seconds left in the 36th-minute, when Jordyn Wilson shot ripped a shot that Nguyen was able to make a diving save on.

Neither side was able to tally a dangerous chance until the match flipped into the 41st minute and Elise Anderson delivered a strong ball to the back post that found Parsons.

The forward took one touch and tried to rip a shot, but a Mountaineer defender blocked the attempt.

WVU was able to clear the ball out to midfield, but at midfield, Tech was able to penetrate the Mountaineer box moments later when Alana Harry slotted a ball that found Taylor Zdrojewski deep in the WVU 18-yard box.

Zdrojewski took one touch and tried to keep advancing toward the Mountaineer goal, but the sophomore was tripped up for a penalty kick.

Stepping to the spot, Parsons rolled a perfect ball into the far side of the net and past Smith who dove to her right.

Armed with a 1-0 lead, the Red Raiders were able to close out the final four minutes of the half to take the match to the break.

Neither side had a strong scoring opportunity until midway through the 59th minute when a foul on Zdrojewski awarded a free kick to the Red Raiders from about 25-yards out. Seeking another brace, Parsons delivered a strong rising shot that kept rising toward the top of the goal before being punched high by Smith.

Just a few moments later, it was WVUs turn to earn a PK, as Dilary Heredia-Beltran was fouled by Macy Blackburn. Stepping to the spot, Lily McCarthy drilled a low shot that Nguyen was able to dive to her right and stop.

Following the PK, the Red Raiders continued to stifle the WVU offense, as over the final 23 minutes and change of the match, the Red Raider backline allowed just one blocked shot.

With the win, Texas Tech moves to 7-0-2 in Big 12 play and remained tied with No. 8 TCU, who defeated UCF 4-2 in Orlando. The Red Raiders and Horned Frogs remain tied atop the table at 23 points, four points clear of WVU.

Oklahoma State, behind a 3-0 win over Iowa State, moved into solo fourth place in the Big 12 standings. The Cowgirls are one point clear of Colorado who drew for the third straight match.

Following tonight's win over West Virginia, the Red Raiders improve to 21-0-5 in their last 26 Big 12 matches and are now unbeaten on the road in Big 12 play in 15-straight matches.

Tonight's win also extends Tech's unbeaten streak to 12-straight (10-0-2) and based on Thursday's results around the country, the Red Raiders are now tied with No. 12 Notre Dame and Western Carolina for the longest unbeaten marks in the country.

HEAD COACH TOM STONE:
"It was great to get a win tonight because this is a very hard place to get three points, especially given where we are and they are in the standings. There was so much on the line for this game and there was a ton of pressure on both teams to perform well. As we've done a lot of the second half of the season, we're digging into our defense. We're learning on our defense and using very opportunistic goal from Ashleigh [Williams], Z [Zdrojeski] and Peyton tonight on the PK. Our attack has been great, but we've leaned heavily on our defense to protect these leads. Cassie Taylor, and Molly [Skurcenski]. And then Peyton Annen came in late to play center back for us tonight. Macy [Blackburn], PD [Dyess] and Elise are just digging in. Not to mention our holding midfielders. You're going to be under pressure late when you're holding a one-goal lead. We were, but our defense came to play, which is a great feeling."

On his team's ability to close out results:
"Results like tonight speak to the resilience of this particular group, because as everyone knows, we lost some really important players early in the season. And that really threw us for loop, and that streak of Big 12 results was on the line quickly. The oddsmakers would have had us go down at some point, and there are two games left, so we haven't made it to the finish line. And we haven't gotten anything that we came for yet. But week in and week out these girls have trained and played so hard. I was talking to Kirby Hocutt today and I said how proud we are of the effort, because this is a team that just works. We aren't always pretty to watch. Sometimes we are, and sometimes we're not, but regardless we play really hard. This group cares about defending and they support each other. Faith tonight making the big save on the PK is an example of her having our back. We gave up the penalty and Faith bailed us out, so I was thrilled for that."

On Sunday's matchup at Cincinnati:
"It's going to be a hard game. They have unique surface and have a really good team. We feel like they've improved since we saw them last year and they're making waves in the Big 12. They've been a great addition. We realize this road game on Sunday isn't going to be easy. It's going to require maximum recovery. It's going to requires a fairly lengthy bus ride to Cincinnati to get the team ready again. It's going to be an interesting game. They're well coached, well organized and play hard too. So this is going to be a hard Sunday."

UP NEXT:
The Red Raiders close the road portion of their schedule on Sunday afternoon when they head to Cincinnati. First touch from Gettler Stadium is set for 1 p.m. (ET)/Noon (CT).