Lytle, Three Freshmen Lead Tech's All-Big 12 Selections
November 04, 2009 | Women's Soccer
Nov. 4, 2009
LUBBOCK, Texas - Taylor Lytle became the first Texas Tech player to earn an All-Big 12 first team selection since 1998, while three freshmen were named to the all-newcomer team, the conference announced Wednesday.
After leading the nation most of the season in assists, Lytle joins Jennifer Hamm (1998) as Tech's only selections all-time on the first team. The sophomore from Las Cruces, N.M., finished the season with a school-record 11 assists and 91 shot attempts, while adding four goals for 19 total points.
In only two seasons, Lytle ranks second on the career assist chart (19), ninth in points (37), fourth in shot attempts (154). Her three selections to an All-Big 12 team ties Kristy Frantz for the most in school history as Lytle was a second team and all-newcomer team member last year.
"We are very proud of Taylor and thrilled that the rest of the Big 12 has recognized her as one of the top 10 field players in the conference," Tech head coach Tom Stone said. "Some teams man-marked her, some chose to zone, and some teams subbed 3-4 fresh players on her over the course of 90 minutes, but none of it seemed to limit Taylor's effect on the game. Her play has improved over the last year, and I think her development will continue throughout her career here. Taylor seems to rise to each new challenge that is put in front of her."
Tech's three selections of Morgan Johnson, Tiffini Smith and Dawn Ward to the all-newcomer team were the most for any Big 12 school. Current Red Raiders Brittney Harrison (2006) and Lytle (2008) are the only two previous players to be named to the team in school history.
Ward wrapped her redshirt freshman season as Tech's points leader after posting 13 goals and 1 assist over the course of the season. Her 13 goals are tied for third on the school's single-season chart, while her 27 points rank in a tie for fourth in a single season.
Smith ended a successful freshman season as one of Tech's top midfielders, netting two goals with two assists for six points, while starting in every Big 12 match.
Johnson started in 19 of Tech's 20 total matches, while playing every minute in all but two conference matches. She posted her only point off an assist against Vanderbilt early in the year.
"We knew that we had a special class in 2009, and to have the most players on the all-newcomer team is quite a statement for the future of the program," Stone said. "All three recipients made a quick transition to the college game and had a huge impact on our season. I was surprised we did not have four players on the list given the fantastic year that Conner Williams had as well."
Tech had only 10 total selections to any All-Big 12 team prior to this season. Its four recipients tied for third-most in the conference with Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, and regular-season champion Missouri.
