Ask anyone involved with Texas Tech soccer and they will say the same thing: they don't talk about winning Big 12 Championships, they talk about what it takes to win in November when a much bigger title is on the line. But to paraphrase the rest of that sentiment - If they find themselves with a chance to win what would be back-to-back conference championships in the final game of the season on their home field? Oh they are dang sure going to be all about it, and that is exactly where No. 19 Texas Tech finds itself after a 3-0 win at Cincinnati moved them to 13-2-2 overall and 8-0-2 in conference ahead of a Friday night clash with BYU in Lubbock. BE THERE!
"The idea that we can play this at home in our place is exciting...A great night for our fans, a great night for our program. We are proud of the girls for putting ourselves in this position. This team has been through a lot and obviously not done yet, we still have another game to win if we want to celebrate. But super excited to play in front of our fans on such a big occasion." - Head Coach Tom Stone
Sunday games are no excuses allowed, everything you can give type games as Texas Tech entered this one after a hard fought 1-0 win on Thursday in Morgantown. The Red Raiders wasted little time taking that same fight to Cincinnati as they drew first blood 15 minutes in when a B-E-A-utiful display of patience from Taylor Zdrojewski ended in a one touch dart from Kaitlyn Giametta for her 5th goal of the season.
From there teams traded opportunities (including a rocket from Ashleigh Williams that I haven't a clue how the Cincy GK stopped.) It was senior day and the emotions seemed to serve Cincinnati well as they forced the Texas Tech backline to show why they are the best in the conference on a few dangerous breakaways of their own that were ultimately stopped with confidence by Cassie Taylor, Molly Skurcenski and co. Texas Tech went into the half with a 1-0 lead and a narrow advantage in shots at 4-3.
The game remained at 1-0 for much of the second half until the 80th minute when once again the ever relentless Texas Tech forward duo of Ashleigh Williams and Taylor Zdrojewski teamed up to impose their will and earn the team a PK chance. It started with great pressure from them both to force the turnover of which Williams calmly took full advantage of with a perfect one-touch pass to Z in the box and for the second straight game a team was forced to pull her to the ground for a PK.
And like clockwork, Peyton "might as well call her PK" Parsons sent a low lining rocket to the bottom left corner that beat the keeper and Texas Tech went up 2-0. This was the juniors 9th goal of the season as her breakout year continues.
While Texas Tech seemed content to run the clock out from there, you can't tame a trained goal scoring machine so when Taylor Zdrojewski spun into the box and found herself with a pocket of space to score....she instinctually FIRED IT IN. Seventh goal on the year now for the RS-Sophomore in the midst of her own breakout year.
Additional Game Notes:
Kaitlyn "Bug" Giammeta hates Bearcats or chili on spaghetti or maybe the entire state of Ohio. Not only did she score the game-winning goal (see earlier in article), she was out there schooling fools all day. CHIIIIIILLLLLL.
Sophomore midfielder Kate Leibel was called on to play some of her most important minutes of the season and like this team has done all year when given their opportunity: she did her dang job.
Texas Tech scored 4 goals across two road games this week and Taylor Zdrojewski was directly responsible for all four: scoring one, assisting on one and drawing a PK on two. If there was a Big 12 Menace of the Week award Z would have that one in the bag but I suppose being in the conversation for Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week will have to do. Although her own teammate Parsons with two goals and an assist on the week may have something to say as well. Blessed.
Molly Skurcenski appreciation post. We could put this in here every week to be fair but she was steady as ever in a game the Bearcats really did put together some solid attacks. Outside of the voters perhaps not knowing where to put her on the ballot, being the swiss army knife that she is, there is no excuse for her not to be a major consideration for All-Conference honors. Don't make me fight you.
The win pushed the teams road unbeaten streak in the Big 12 to 16 games, dating back to a loss at West Virginia in 2021. With this being the final regular season conference road game of the year, this impressive streak will officially extend another year into 2025. Can I get a sheeeeeeeeesh?!?!
Up Next: Everything you could ask for in a clash with an always spicy BYU, in Lubbock, for a chance to win the Big 12 regular season Championship for the second straight year. You can help your Red Raiders secure a title and then watch them as the confetti and tortillas fall in celebration - HOW OFTEN DO YOU GET THAT CHANCE?!? First kick is at 7pm. Get you tickets NOW, be early and BE LOUD. Let's do something silly like set a new attendance record okay? OKAY.
Follow us over on YouTube for the full recap show where will go through highlights from both huge road wins and preview the match with BYU more in depth: https://www.youtube.com/@seeingscarlet_
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Sheeeeeeshhhhh. 🤧