Red Raider Road Warriors episode one complete, review: TWO GUNS UP! Texas Tech soccer has completed the first five games of Big 12 play, four of which were on the road, and now sit 4-0-1 in conference play after their latest 2-0 win over Houston on Sunday. They return to Lubbock and John Walker for a much deserved three game home stand beginning at 7pm Friday, Oct 4, versus Baylor. BE THERE, BE LOUD Lubbock!
Per the broadcast, head coach Tom Stone said prior to the game he felt this would be a typical grind it out Sunday conference game in a hot, humid Houston and that's just what it was in the first half especially. Texas Tech certainly controlled attack and opportunity early but, while the Red Raiders did lead in overall shots at 10-3 after one half of play, Houston was tied with Texas Tech at 3-3 in shots on goal. Faith Nguyen was up to the task then (and all game), including this spicy diving stop early.
Playing on the narrowest field in the conference is a less than ideal scenario for a Texas Tech team that has players that excel in space on the flanks but it didn't stop them from showing they could still create plenty of opportunities out of the congestion too which you loved to see. It just felt like Texas Tech was a hair off on their final contact sending the ball just wide or high of goal on most of their first half chances.....something that flipped quickly to start the second half as they scored two goals in under two minutes to put this one to bed (highlights below.)
Game Vibes:
📈 After a near brace....arguably a near hat trick led to two assists on Thursday, Taylor Zdrojewski continues to be playing some of her best soccer of late and nearly got Tech on the board twice in the first half as she had a couple of rockets go just high. Spoiler....she finds the target later in this game. ALWAYS KEEP KNOCKING!
😵💫 From there the broadcast cut out completely (we wish we were lying sigh) so we don't have much to report other than the game went on scoreless until the TV cut back on just in time to see Macy Blackburn getting loose as she does and sending this screamer in front of goal that BARELY missed the toe poke from Z. Eventually got back to Ashleigh Williams who patiently lined it up but the Houston keeper was up to the task and made a diving stop to keep us scoreless. Rude if you ask us.
🚀 Taylor Zdrojewski gets double the shout outs because she has been that good and as spoiled previously.....she said enough of this 0 on the board and gave Texas Tech a lead only 38 seconds into the second half on a ROCKET. She has really started to use her strength on the ball in these past few games to her advantage, just relentless effort to fight through the contact, turn and BURN IT off the bottom side of the crossbar into goal. I'd reckon she is at least in the running for offensive player in the Big 12 this week with one goal and two assists on the week in Texas Tech two games. Keep cooking, Z.
😲 Peyton Dyess....PEYTON DYESS! The true freshman was flashing early in the season but an injury back in the Utah State game stalled things some and she has bit by bit been getting better and better every game since her return. She looked like a poised veteran flying down the left side, deking the defender to take a step to the end line and cutting right off her inside for a clear shot on goal that she DID NOT MISS.
💪 The overall depth of this team continues to impress and help them control games in the second half. Texas Tech played 18 players in this one and with Dyess' goal they are now up to 12 different Red Raiders scoring this season.
🐰 While we would argue Texas Tech had a couple chances stolen to be up 3-0 on some questionable calls/no calls.....The game was well in hand from there and the few dangerous looks generated by the Cougars in the second half were stopped by the backline and Faith "Bunnies" Nguyen, including this beaut. GET UP THEN!
Up Next:
Texas Tech is coming back home finally! Get your tickets and be there this Friday for a rare Friday Night Lights edition of Red Raider soccer at John Walker when they take on Baylor. The Bears are coming in confident after grabbing draws from two of the top teams in conference (Colorado and TCU) in back-to-back games. BE THERE, BE LOUD Lubbock!
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