Win or go home and Texas Tech wasn't too keen on the latter half of that as they stormed back from an early 1-0 deficit to Baylor to win 2-1 and punch their ticket to the Big 12 semifinals. Taylor Zdrojewski scored for the third straight game to tie it up and Storie Sexton followed with her second career goal late in the first half for the game winner. The No. 17 ranked Red Raiders will face Kansas in Kansas City, Mo. Wednesday at 7pm CT on ESPN+.
Texas Tech started the game controlling possession and attack but true to their nature it doesn't take Baylor or Tyler Isgrig much time to strike once they have it and the All-Conference forward made the Red Raiders pay at the four minute mark to put Baylor up 1-0 early. Not an ideal start but it did give Texas Tech a chance to prove to themselves they could do something they had not yet this season - win a game where they trailed.
Check it off the list and the first step of that came when Macy Blackburn does what no one does better when she beat the defender around the corner and sent a screamer to a perfect spot in front of goal. It wasn't an easy finish either. Taylor Zdrojewski had to give up her body and take a hit from two defenders, one on either side, as she threw herself into the scrum to head the ball into goal. BIG TIME FLEX ON EM goal from the redshirt sophomore, now up to nine goals on the year.
From there Texas Tech controlled the chances the rest of the half and had some really good looks with Peyton Parsons, Ashleigh Williams, Alana Harry, Macy Blackburn and I am probably forgetting someone all getting good looks on goal that were saved or just off the mark. This team has been a machine at generating chances in the last month or so of the season and it's that relentlessness that earned them a corner with 10 seconds remaining in the half.
Parsons nearly had an Olympico (and maybe she did if you look real close at that replay) after she sent a perfect ball in off the corner that forced the keeper to make a life choice and Storie Sexton made sure it was the wrong one as she wanted it more than those around her to push the ball clearly across the line. Not clearly enough to see in real time for the refs somehow but thankfully playing at a NWSL stadium this game had replay capabilities and Texas Tech was rightfully awarded the goal on a second look.
Texas Tech opened the second half with some good chances at goal that were either saved or narrowly off frame. Putting the pressure on their always reliable backline and Faith Nguyen to close out the 2-1 win. The most dangerous of moments coming with about 8 minutes remaining when Isgrig got off a low lining laser that had eyes for goal but thankfully Texas Tech has First Team All-Conference Nguyen to save the shot and seal the win.
Game Notes:
One of my favorite parts of watching games away from Lubbock is listening to announcers fall in love with how Texas Tech plays and specific players along the way just as Red Raider fans have done during their careers. In this game the announcers could not shut up about a number of players (we don't blame them) but one in particular was getting her much deserved love in Second Team All-Big 12 midfielder Jill Martinez who was ALL OVER the pitch.
They also were fully enamored with everything Big 12 Defender of the Year Macy Blackburn was doing offensively in this because who wouldn't be? She was laser focused once again and set up her teammates for multiple near goals in addition to the one Zdrojewski did finish. But let it be known she isn't afraid to go for goal herself if needed and she gave two defenders a quick Texas Two-Step lesson to lose them all and take a rip at goal that would have gone in if not for a great save from the Baylor keeper.
Sophomore midfielder Kate Leibel earned her first career start and was solid as ever throughout but most impressively she played the FULL 90 MINUTES in a very intense win or go home game. Prior to this one her most minutes played in a game was 56 versus Utah to start Big 12 play. That's how you do that!
Peyton Parsons had that look about her early, her first step and touch were just better than whatever Baylor defender was in front of her for much of the game. She nearly had a goal herself multiple times but in the end her effort was rewarded with the previously mentioned game winning assist off the corner to Sexton.
Freshman Alana Harry made the most of her 30 minutes as she seemed in on every bit of action while out there getting off 4 shots, three on goal and even had a little West Texas Tough moment jumping right back into the game after taking a hard cross to the face from Baylor. One of her best moments came in the first half when she dipsey doo'd one of the better defenders in the conference to get a great look at goal and force the save from Baylor.
Weekly reminder that Cassie Taylor and Molly Skurcenski are class. Just a couple dawgs being dawgs in this one. Molly had the broadcasters so flummoxed by her speed out of the back they spent a solid 20 minutes researching her high school track career.
And we would be struck by lightning if we did not mention Elise Anderson being Elise Anderson and absolutely locking down her side of the field all game. PRO.
Up next the team turns the page to their semifinal matchup with the Kansas Jawhawks on Wednesday. With the unbalanced regular season schedule in the Big 12 this is one of the teams Texas Tech has not faced this season so it will be a fresh look for them both. The Jayhawks come into the game as one of the hottest teams in the country winning six in a row, not having lost since October 5th. They will geographically speaking have home field advantage as well but since CPKC is in part owned by Texas Tech's own Patrick Mahomes - let's hope we have the home vibes on our side instead. LET'S DANCE!
Follow us over on YouTube for the full recap show later this week where will go through highlights from the win and preview what's ahead: https://www.youtube.com/@seeingscarlet_
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