Red Raiders Set to Open Big 12 Conference Play
September 20, 2006 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 20, 2006
LUBBOCK, Texas -
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After completing early non-conference play last weekend, the Texas Tech soccer team will begin league action with a pair of home matches beginning on Friday when the Red Raiders host the No. 23 Texas Longhorns at R.P. Fuller Stadium at 7 p.m. The team will return to action on Sunday as it entertains the No. 6 Texas A&M Aggies in a 1 p.m. match.
Sophomore forward Chessa Purser continues to lead the Red Raiders offensively after posting five goals in the match against Prairie View A&M. The Cypress, Texas, native leads the teams in goals (5) and points (10). Purser currently ranks first for the most goals scored and points tallied in an individual game among all Big 12 players. Junior forward Priscilla Esquivel leads Tech with 22 shots. Sophomore goalkeeper Tina Rincon has recorded 34 saves in her first eight appearances.
The Red Raiders enter the weekend with a 4-4 record, which is the best start for Texas Tech since 1998. Not only has their record drastically improved, but their average shots, goals and corner kicks per game have also improved. In the 2006 season, the Red Raiders are averaging 17.5 shots and 2.25 goals per game.
The Longhorns enter the weekend with a 6-2 record and have not lost in their last three matches. Junior forward Kelsey Carpenter leads Texas with seven goals and 15 points. Carpenter leads the Big 12 with four game-winning goals.
Sunday's opponent the Texas A&M Aggies travel to Waco on Friday to battle the Baylor Bears before making the trip to Lubbock. The Aggies enter the weekend with a 3-3-1 overall record. Last season Texas A&M shut-out the Red Raiders, 7-0, in College Station.
"It really does not get any better than this," said head coach Neil McGuire. "Two highly talented Big 12 schools that are nationally ranked at home on your first conference weekend. Our team is certainly excited about the chance to test themselves against both Texas and Texas A&M. This is why each of our players came to Texas Tech. They came to play against the elite teams of the nation. We hope to give our fans a great game to watch."
Friday night at R.P. Fuller Stadium is Lubbock Soccer Association night. The LSA has chosen the Texas game to invite it's entire organization. Two teams from LSA will participate at half-time and kids wearing their team jersey will receive free admission. Sunday night is US Youth Soccer Day. US Youth Soccer is going to provide t-shirts, key chains, mini-balls and an Adidas prize pack to be given away. If fans wear their official Texas Tech crest shirt to the match on Friday or Sunday they receive buy-one get-one free admission.
The Red Raiders will hit the road next weekend for four-consecutive road matches. Tech will travel to Columbia, Mo., to face Missouri on Fri., Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. On Sun. Oct. 1 the Red Raiders will face Iowa State in Ames, Iowa, at 1 p.m.
For tickets to Texas Tech soccer, please contact (888) GO-BIG-12 or (806) 742-TECH or stop by the Texas Tech Athletic Ticket Office in the north end of Jones SBC Stadium. Tickets also can be purchased through the Texas Tech athletic website at www.texastech.com and at area United Supermarket and Select-a-Seat locations.
