Texas Tech Soccer Back Line Stands on Business Shutting Out SMU 2-0
It was Gen Z night at the pitch Thursday so it feels appropriate to say the Texas Tech backline stood on business in this not only shutting out SMU 2-0 but scoring both of Tech’s goals as well. Both Macy Blackburn (Sr., outsideback) and Emilie McCartney (Jr., centerback) got their first goals of the season, with McCartney’s being her first career goal. Tech moved to 4-1 with their next game coming September 4 at New Mexico State.
“The upperclassmen had to start carrying this team,” said head coach Tom Stone following the game. “I think they were needing to push a little harder and ask a little more of themselves, and those two goals were fabulous. They got together and they were like, no, we’re giving up too many goals. And not only did they get the shutout, but then they scored the goals. Big night for the back line.”
Texas Tech Stat Leaders
Macy Blackburn – 3 shots, 2 SOG, 1 G, 1 A, 82 min
Emilie McCartney – 1 shot, 1 SOG, 1 G, 90 min
Faith Nguyen – 0 goals allowed, 1 save
How It Happened
Texas Tech came out on the front foot as has been the case in most of their games this season, creating a number of chances early before breaking through about 12 minutes in on Emilie McCartney’s first career goal. The junior defender was up on the corner attempt and placed her header with great pace and accuracy off a perfect delivery from Macy Blackburn who is up to five assists on the year and 38 in her career. The most in school history for those keeping track at home. Goat.
“I was ready for it,” said McCartney postgame. “I saw it was going over all their defenders. And I was like, I’m gonna get my head on this ball. I was like, oh my gosh, I just scored. Never scored before, that’s a new feeling But perfect ball from Macy, it was perfect as always.”
“We’re happy for Emily to get her first college goal,” said Coach Stone. “That was magic and I’m just so happy for a kid who fought her tail off last year for her former team [Miami.] Played every minute of every game and found a new home here where she’s surrounded by some defenders that I think compliment her and she compliments them, and she plays with great joy and great commitment.”
With Kylie Bahr and Alana Harry creating havoc to earn another corner. McCartney had a chance at a second goal just a few minutes later off yet another Blackburn beaut service that barely missed her head in front of goal. From there the players said they were working through some things in the first half, trying to figure out when to step and when not. How SMU was pressing versus how they thought they would be on film, general feeling out process.
“You have an idea of what you think the other team is gonna do before the game starts, but you never really know until, obviously, you get on the field,” explained Blackburn postgame. “So there were some things that in our press that we were figuring out who to step to, where and what players. And so at half time we kind of regrouped and reestablished our presence. And then I think in the second half it definitely certain aspects of that looked a lot better.”
Blackburn herself was a major part of that second half burst, scoring her first goal of the season and sixth of her career. As the school’s career assist leader she is usually the one setting the table but on this night she scored off a great setup from Chloe Japić and Emma Torres. A point of emphasis according to Coach Stone coming out of halftime.
“We talked at halftime about the combination of the connections between the attacking mids and the outside backs and how they can play together to create things,” said Coach Stone. “And it shouldn’t be kind of each individually going at it. And that was a great set of passes that led to Macy turning the corner and being able to score. When Torres is on the ball, she’s got a ton of talent and is special. You know, she’s still got a lot to learn about defending and about just college soccer. She just turned 18 last week, so we’ve got plenty of patience and grace for her. And we’re thrilled that a kid that talented is part of our future.”
Blackburn and McCartney were also a part of the backline that stood tall to shutout a Mustang team who had scored eight goals in their last three matches. After giving up a handful of goals in their last three games themselves, shutting out SMU was very much a talking point headed into this one.
“The backline had a talk before the game, and it [the shutout] was really important to us,” answered Blackburn when asked postgame if the shutout was a “point of pride” for them at all. “Obviously, it’s as a team but as the backline we take a lot of responsibility in getting scored on. And so we literally said today, we are not getting scored on. It doesn’t matter the score of this game, but we’re having a shutout. And so I think it was really important for us, and we were really proud of ourselves to just not just show our backline that we could do it, but also our team that we’ve got their back no matter what.”
Next Up: On the Road AT New Mexico State 9/4
Texas Tech has a well deserved off day this Sunday so thier next game is not until Thursday September 4 when they travel to New Mexico State. First touch at 8 pm MT / 7 pm CT.
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