Blackburn, seven other Red Raiders, earn Big 12 honors

IRVING, Texas – Highlighted by defender Macy Blackburn earning Big 12 Defender of the Year, and four First Team All-Big 12 honors, Texas Tech saw eight players honored by the Big 12 Conference Tuesday.

In total, eight different Red Raiders earned either first team, second team or all-freshman honors, again highlighted by Blackburn who was a unanimous First Team All-Big 12 selection. The defender was one of just two unanimous First Team All-Big 12 selections and is the third Defensive Player of the Year in program history.

The all-time leader in assists in program history, Blackburn continued to cement herself as one of the premiere outside backs in the country. as the Keller native scored twice and recorded a team-best seven assists during the regular season. Once Blackburn returned to the lineup from last season's injury, the Red Raiders took off, as Tech went 11-1-2 in her 14 starts this season. Blackburn's First Team All-Big 12 honor is the second of her career, as she was also named to the first team in 2023.

Blackburn was joined on the Big 12 First Team by goalkeeper Faith Nguyen, midfielder Peyton Parsons and forward Ashleigh Williams.

A key addition to the 2024 squad, Nguyen shined in her first season donning the Scarlett and Black, as the keeper allowed 11 total goals during the regular season and just four in Big 12 play.

Nguyen recorded 10 total clean sheets in her 16 starts this season including eight in Big 12 play. Nguyen was twice named the Big 12's Goalkeeper of the Week in 2024 and sports the second-lowest GAA (.701) in the league. With all of the postseason still to play, Nguyens' 10 clean sheets are already the fifth-most in a single season in program history.

The Red Raiders third First Team All-Big 12 selection, Parsons, also had a career year in 2024 leading the Red Raiders in goals and points. Finishing with nine goals including clutch goals at West Virginia and at Cincinnati, Parsons also led the Red Raiders in total shots (55) and game winning goals (4). The honor was the first of her career.

Tech's fourth and final first team selection, Williams, continued to cement herself as one of the most clutch players in school history. With over 35 goals to her credit throughout her career, Williams scored five times in 2024, including four times in Big 12 play. With her five goals this season, Williams moved into solo fourth on the all-time points list and also ranks fourth all-time in total goals. With a knack for scoring important goals, Williams ranks second all-time in game winners with 16.

The Red Raiders four total First Team All-Big 12 selections were the second-most in the league.

Continuing on to the second team, the Red Raiders were again well represented, as a pair of seniors were joined by one of the breakout stars in 2024 for Tech.

Defender Cassie Taylor earned her first Second Team All-Big 12 selection, as the center back again was a key component to a Texas Tech backline that allowed just 11 total goals on the season and four in Big 12 play.

Following the 4-0 loss at Penn State, Taylor and the Tech backline proceeded to hold its next 17 opponents to just seven total goals, as the backline combined for 12 shutouts. Playing 1523 minutes out of a possible 1620 on the season, Taylor again anchored a Tech backline that despite losing 2023 Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Year Madison White continued to shine in 2024.

In fact, the Tech backline is just one of three in the country to have allowed fewer than 15 goals in back-to-back seasons. That list includes St. Louis and defending national champions, Florida State.

Playing another key role in the midfield for coach Tom Stone and the Red Raiders, Jillian Martinez also earned her first conference honors in her career. Helping a Red Raider attack that once again featured 40 goals, Martinez tallied a pair of assists starting all 18 matches for the Red Raiders in 2024. The San Antonio native tallied 15 shots including three on goal during her over 1000 minutes of action.

The Red Raiders third and final second-team honoree was forward Taylor Zdrojewski. Battling back from a devastating and career-threatening injury in 2022, Zdrojewski showed her patented goal scoring ability in spades in 2024, scoring eight times including the game-winning goal in Tech's big win at Houston. On the season, Zdrojewski scored eight times and tallied four assists, finishing second on the Red Raiders in points. The Red Raiders co-leader in shots on goal and leader in shots on goal percentage, the Red Raiders were 6-1 when Zdrojewski scored in a game.

And last by certainly not least for the Red Raiders, was freshman Peyton Dyess earning Big 12 All-Freshman honors. A native of Lewisville, Dyess appeared in 14 games for the Red Raiders and scored a goal and had two assists. Playing in nearly 400 minutes at outside back, Dyess' goal was an important one, as it gave the Red Raiders a 2-0 lead at Houston back on Sept. 29.

As previously mentioned, the Red Raiders four total first team selections were the second-most in the Big 12 this season, while Tech's eight total honorees were the second-most behind TCUs 10 All-Big 12 selections. Tech's three, second team honorees were tied with Oklahoma State and TCU for the most in the conference.

The Red Raiders now will turn their attention to the postseason, as they open the 2024 Sprouts Farmers' Market Big 12 Championships on Saturday afternoon against the winner of Arizona and Baylor. First touch from Kansas City's CPKC Stadium is set for 5:30 p.m.

Blackburn, seven other Red Raiders, earn Big 12 honors

Players Mentioned

Macy Blackburn

Peyton Dyess

Jillian Martinez

Faith Nguyen

Peyton Parsons

Cassie Taylor

Madison White

Ashleigh Williams

Taylor Zdrojewski

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