Texas Tech Athletics
Oklahoma
Tech Beats Oklahoma in Norman 2-0
October 02, 2011 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 2, 2011
LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech women's soccer team tied the school record for shutouts in a season with its 10th as the Red Raiders beat Oklahoma, 2-0, at John Crain Field in Norman, Okla., in front of 539 fans.
"Well we did not start the game as I hoped," head coach Tom Stone said. "To be fair--OU took it to us for stretches in the first half. It took a moment of brilliance from (Jessica) Disabella to get us the lead against the run of play.
Jessica Disabella found a loose ball in the box and made a move to score her second goal of the season. It gave the Red Raiders (8-3-2, 2-0-1) a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute of the first half.
"She was great," Stone said of Disabella. "Her goal was fantastic and her assist was timely as it put the game out of reach. Disabella was fresh and obviously had her mind right to be able to come off the bench and be the player of the game for us. That defines a good teammate in so many ways."
Tech went into the half up 1-0 on Oklahoma (5-8, 0-2). The Sooner outshot the Red Raiders in the first half 7-5.
"We just challenged the girls (at half) to increase their work rate and get the game back--we knew OU would come out with confidence so we needed to step up our play immediately," Stone said. "Fortunately for us, that is exactly what happened--we played a much better have, especially in possession, and the control of the match. Fuston's goal was a product of the whole team lifting their level and putting our attacking players in dangerous places."
Jessica Fuston continued scoring as she gave the Red Raiders a 2-0 lead after scoring on a ball from Disabella in the 66th minute. It is Fuston's sixth goal in the last five matches. She now has six goals on the season and 17 for her career.
Victoria Esson continued her stellar play in goal making three saves. She now has seven shutouts on the season and is No. 2 on Tech's single season shutout list. Tech's 10th shutout of the season ties the single-season record set last season. The Red Raiders have only given up six goals and are unbeaten in their last seven matches.
"The whole team is taking pride in being solid defensively--and when the game gets to the back line or all the way to Vic[toria] (Esson)--they have stood tall and been great under pressure. Again, Vic[toria] (Esson) made the save of the game late in the second half to preserve the win and the shutout."
The Red Raiders have seven points and are No. 2 behind Oklahoma State in the standings. Tech will welcome Texas A&M to the John Walker Soccer Complex this Friday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear all black.
