Texas Tech Back on Script as Red Raiders Storm Past Iowa State in Ames
Texas Tech flipped the switch and got back on script Sunday, securing a 2–0 road win over Iowa State to move to 8-1-1 overall and 2-0-1 in Big 12 play. The Red Raiders struck just 20 seconds into the match and never looked back, returning to the brand of soccer that had carried them through a strong start to the season.
“On Thursday we got a little bit out of character, a little off script,” Stone said. “So we just talked a lot about getting back to who we are, playing like the Texas Tech team that we’ve been since preseason… Today we did the same thing, scored in 20 seconds. Now you can’t always guarantee that, but if that’s your attitude… at least you’re going to have the upper hand for the first quarter of the game, which we did.”
Texas Tech Stat Leaders
Sam Courtwright – 3 shots, 1 shot on goal, 1 goal, 48 min
Peyton Parsons – 3 shots, 2 shots on goal, 1 goal, 58 min
Kylie Bahr – 1 shot, 1 assist, 73 min
Macy Blackburn – 1 assist, 79 min
How It Happened
In the first three games of the season Texas Tech managed five goals within the first 10 minutes of play but have not had one in the first half at all in their last four matches. The Red Raiders said enough of that on Sunday as they jumped on Iowa State from the opening touch. A quick build-up down the flank ended with a cross from Kylie Bahr that found midfielder Sam Courtwright. The red-shirt sophomore calmly one touch drilled it out of the air for what would be the eventual game-winner just 20 seconds in. It was Tech’s first goal in the run of play since beating New Mexico State on September 4 and their second goal in under 20 seconds this season going back to their 19 second goal at Santa Clara.
“And the goal was quite a relief,” said Stone. “Because Iowa State was content to sit back a bit. So when you score that early, you know they’ve got to come out a little bit. That gave us more opportunities”
Tech took advantage of those opportunities scoring 17 minutes later when Macy Blackburn delivered a cross from the opposite side to, Courtwright’s fellow attacking mid, Peyton Parsons who headed it home to make it 2–0.
“They weren’t penalties or corners or any of those things,” Stone said of the goals. “A cross from Macy Blackburn to Peyton, a cross from Kylie Bahr to Sam. Our eights have been working hard to get their game to be where they want it to be because they get so much attention. Those two players are game planned against. So they’re really on the growth plan. They’re really trying to get better and looking at video and assessing their own play. And I’m so happy for them. They got the rewards of a long week by both scoring.”
From there Texas Tech continued to control the match in every phase while getting a number of depth players good minutes as well. They ultimately finished with 56% of possession and outshot Iowa State 22–6 while earning 6 corners to the Cyclones 1. The win marked the team, and senior goal keeper Faith Nguyen’s, fifth shutout of the season.
Final Stats:
Goals: Courtwright (1’), Parsons (17’)
Shots: TTU 22, ISU 6
Possession: TTU 56%, ISU 44%
Corners: TTU 6, ISU 1
Fouls: TTU 8, ISU 9
Next Up: Home Versus Oklahoma State Thursday 10/2, 7PM
Texas Tech returns to Lubbock for a weekend home stand with Oklahoma State on Thursday and No. 16 Kansas on Sunday. The Cowgirls (4-5-2) come in off a loss on the road to Arizona on Sunday. First touch on Thursday, 7 pm at the John Walker Soccer Complex in Lubbock. BE THERE!
“I think it’s similar to the old coaching cliche of one at a time because you couldn’t have two more distinctly different teams between Oklahoma State and Kansas. So we can’t even train for both of them. It’s got to be train for Oklahoma State. Focus on those guys, watch video, get the team ready, play, recover, get the team ready because they’re two very different teams. So it’s a big weekend for us. I’m glad it’s at home.”
Game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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