MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Two freshmen keepers, a penalty kick goal and a happy Red Raiders team.
Amid stifling defensive play by both Texas Tech (11-1-1, 3-0-1) and West Virginia (7-5-1, 2-2-0), Tech’s Hannah Anderson got rolled up with a defender to get a penalty kick in the 71st minute. Her shot was true, going over Kayza Massey’s hands and into the top-left of the net for the game-winner.
At the surface, not playing the starting keepers was an interesting move by both teams, but with Rylee Foster medically unable to play, Nikki Izzo-Brown started Massey. What was surprising to see, though, was Texas Tech coach Tom Stone played Madison White in place of the Big 12 leading keeper Marissa Zucchetto. Luckily for White, she didn’t face any shots in the first half. Her blue-clad counterpart, however, faced two shots and saved both but it was her second save was highlight-reel worthy, going vertical to tip the ball out to her backline.
“It’s never easy coming in as a freshman with the No. 14 team in the country at home, but I was super proud of Kayza,” Izzo-Brown said. “I thought she stepped it up and played enough to get that shot out.”
After ending the first half scoreless, Jade Gentile turned on the jets to put WVU’s first shot on goal. White was there for a diving save, barely tipping it past the left pole. The Mountaineers continued the aggressive drive, wearing down the Lady Raiders’ backline. Gentile broke down the far wing once more and crossed to Jessica Lisi at the top of the box, and what seemed to be the go-ahead goal sailed high.
Texas Tech responded shortly after with a defense-collapsing corner. Massey dived for a save on the Raiders’ first shot, and with an open goal for a rebound WVU boxed out the attackers and forced the ball back out to give Texas Tech another corner. It was too long, and the Mountaineers headed it out easily.
After West Virginia was called for a penalty in the box at the 71-minute mark, Anderson beat Massey to put the Raiders up 1-0.
Even with West Virginia’s eight second-half corners, the Lady Raiders held off the ensuing Mountaineers attack through the final 19 minutes, picking up their 11th-straight win.
“Tough one, I thought we battled hard against the No.14 team in the country but unfortunately we couldn’t find the back of the net,” Izzo-Brown said. “It was an unfortunate call and Tech finished tonight, but I was proud of the way this team battled. I thought (some things were missed) but we kept kicking at the goalkeeper.
“Obviously (Kirsten Davis) is the leading scorer in the conference right now, and I think we kept her quiet. I’m happy with my backline.”
Texas Tech outshot WVU 13-7 and put two more shots on goal than the Mountaineers. Massey finished with three saves while White had two.
Red Raider’s win not much insurance for all-time record, TTU likes winning by 1
Although Texas Tech claimed the
Thursday’s win marks Texas Tech’s second straight 1-0 win and sixth total one-goal win. The Red Raiders last defeated Iowa State 1-0 in double overtime last Thursday. Before tying Oklahoma 1-1 on Sept. 29, TTU defeated Oklahoma State 1-0 and USF 2-1.
Up next
West Virginia: The Mountaineers opened their three-game home slate against the Red Raiders and next host No. 18 Oklahoma State (9-1-3, 2-1-1) on Oct. 17.
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders return to Lubbock, Texas, for a home game against Kansas (9-4, 1-2) on Sunday.
