Texas Tech University Athletics
Tech Trio earns USC Player to Watch status
August 14, 2024 | Women's Soccer
United Soccer Coaches Defenders to Watch United Soccer Coaches Midfielders to Watch United Soccer Coaches Forwards to Watch
Defender Macy Blackburn, Midfielder Sam Courtwright and Ashleigh Williams were all honored with the equivalent of Preseason All-America Honors
KANSAS CITY – Prior to the start of the 2024 season, the United Soccer Coaches Association have released their 'Players to Watch' lists, and Texas Tech was well represented, as defender Macy Blackburn, midfielder Sam Courtwright and forward Ashleigh Williams were all selected to their respective positional lists.
A native of Keller, Blackburn was named to the Defender's Players to Watch List, after a strong 2023 season that saw the rising junior score twice and tally 11 assists in just 15 matches played.
Prior to suffering a season-ending injury on Oct. 8 in the second half against TCU, Blackburn was leading the country in assists per game. Blackburn finished the 2023 season just a single assist shy of tying Alli Murphy's program record of 12 assists. Blackburn enters the season needing just four helpers to tie Taylor Lytle's program record for career assists (27).
The Red Raiders second honoree, Courtwright, played and start in all 23 matches for Texas Tech in 2023. Courtwright recorded at least 80 minutes in 11 matches, including in eight of the final 10 matches of the year.
The midfielder missed just 16 minutes of the Red Raiders run through the NCAA Tournament and played the full match eight times, as the Dallas native quickly cemented her status as not only one of the nation's best freshmen but also one of the best attacking midfielders in the country.
Just last week after making multiple camp appearances with the USYNT U-20 team, Courtwright was selected to the roster for the upcoming U-20 FIFA World Cup later this month in Colombia.
The final Red Raider to be honored, Williams, also had a career year in 2024, as the forward found the back of the net 14 times and tallied six assists. Her 14 goals were the fourth-most in a single season in program history while her seven game winners set a new program record.
Williams started the season with nine goals over the season first five matches including a four-game stretch where she scored at least two goals in every match. The stretch included three braces against New Mexico State, Utah State and North Texas as well as her first career hat trick against Ball State.
Williams scored in eight different contests in 2024, as Tech went a perfect 8-0-0 when she scored. Dating back to her freshman year, the Red Raiders are now a perfect 20-0-0 when Williams scores in a match.
A native of Keller, Blackburn was named to the Defender's Players to Watch List, after a strong 2023 season that saw the rising junior score twice and tally 11 assists in just 15 matches played.
Prior to suffering a season-ending injury on Oct. 8 in the second half against TCU, Blackburn was leading the country in assists per game. Blackburn finished the 2023 season just a single assist shy of tying Alli Murphy's program record of 12 assists. Blackburn enters the season needing just four helpers to tie Taylor Lytle's program record for career assists (27).
The Red Raiders second honoree, Courtwright, played and start in all 23 matches for Texas Tech in 2023. Courtwright recorded at least 80 minutes in 11 matches, including in eight of the final 10 matches of the year.
The midfielder missed just 16 minutes of the Red Raiders run through the NCAA Tournament and played the full match eight times, as the Dallas native quickly cemented her status as not only one of the nation's best freshmen but also one of the best attacking midfielders in the country.
Just last week after making multiple camp appearances with the USYNT U-20 team, Courtwright was selected to the roster for the upcoming U-20 FIFA World Cup later this month in Colombia.
The final Red Raider to be honored, Williams, also had a career year in 2024, as the forward found the back of the net 14 times and tallied six assists. Her 14 goals were the fourth-most in a single season in program history while her seven game winners set a new program record.
Williams started the season with nine goals over the season first five matches including a four-game stretch where she scored at least two goals in every match. The stretch included three braces against New Mexico State, Utah State and North Texas as well as her first career hat trick against Ball State.
Williams scored in eight different contests in 2024, as Tech went a perfect 8-0-0 when she scored. Dating back to her freshman year, the Red Raiders are now a perfect 20-0-0 when Williams scores in a match.
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's SoccerPost Game Presser: UNC
Sunday, November 23
Highlights: UNC (Round of 32)
Friday, November 21
Preview Presser: UNC (Round of 32)
Wednesday, November 19
Highlights: UTSA
Friday, November 14