Tech Soccer Opens Big 12 Play
September 22, 2006 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 22, 2006
By: Brandon Hughes
After suffering a roller-coaster of non-conference matches to open the season, the Texas Tech soccer team is set to open conference play this weekend at R.P. Fuller Stadium.
However, this isn't your typical conference-kickoff weekend.
Rolling into town on Friday are the No. 23 Texas Longhorns followed on Sunday by the No. 6 Texas A&M Aggies.
That's two powerhouses that the Red Raiders will face and where a physical battle looks almost certain.
Head coach Neil McGuire said that Tech needs to win that physical battle in order to notch a pair of victories this weekend.
"Both A&M and Texas are extremely athletic," McGuire said. "They play vastly different systems of play and as a result we're going to have to make sure that we make quality adjustments early."
McGuire went on to say that there is really no way to prepare his team for the level of intensity they will face this weekend.
"They're just going to have to experience it," McGuire said. "I think we're capable of playing the type of game both A&M and Texas play."
"It's going to be a baptism of fire and I wouldn't want it any other way."
McGuire said that the team's non-conference schedule has really helped the girls prepare for the upcoming conference slate. He said they are tougher, more organized and more disciplined.
The soccer team will need to be just that this weekend as they look to continue their winning ways and their improvement off last season.
On one side, there's an upperclassmen-heavy Texas squad that has won six out of their last seven games with wins over Penn State, Illinois, and LSU. Texas is led by Kelsey Carpenter who has notched seven goals on the season.
On the other side, there's the Aggies from Texas A&M who are led by Ashlee Pistorius and Amber Gnatzig who lead the Aggies with ten goals each this season.
Texas A&M also comes in with arguably the toughest non-conference slate that included, at the time of each match, four top-ten teams. Nevertheless, the Red Raiders said they are ready and up to the challenge.
Tina Rincon, goalie for the Red Raiders, said both the team and Coach McGuire think they're ready for this weekend.
"I think we're coming out with an attitude like both teams are beatable," Rincon said. "They both have losses on the season."
"Hopefully we can get our game together by then and just come out hard and take it to them."
Rincon said the defensive key to this game for Tech is handling their opponents' three-front game plan and containing their opponents' forwards would be critical. On the offensive side of the ball, Rincon said taking shots whenever we get a chance and not letting opportunities slip away would be the key.
She said the key all year for the team has been performing to the best of their ability and that they will continue that streak this weekend.
The Texas Tech soccer team will take the field Friday at 7 p.m. as they host Texas and then again on Sunday at 1 p.m. as they host Texas A&M.