Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Missouri
Tech Scores Early to Beat Missouri
September 23, 2011 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 23, 2011
Box Score | Highlights from the Stream
| Post-Match Comments LUBBOCK, Texas - Jessica Fuston scored on a corner kick from Jaelene Hinkle in the third minute to propel the Texas Tech soccer team over Missouri, for the first time since 2006, in front of 1,426 fans at the John Walker Soccer Complex.
"Obviously, this was a big win for us," head coach Tom Stone said. "Missouri has won two Big 12 Championships in the last four years and they have been a thorn in our side since my staff and I arrived so it was nice to get this win and to do it in front of the home fans made it special."
The game winner from Fuston was the second of the season and 13th of her career. It is Hinkle's second assist of the season.
"It was a set piece we drew up mid week after watching extensive Missouri video," Stone said. "We felt like we were on to something and it worked out just right and Fuston was the perfect recipient of the perfect ball from Hinkle. Ironically, Missouri caught us on a set piece as well in the second half but could not convert ... thankfully we did on ours."
The Red Raiders (6-3-1, 1-0) continued the pressure throughout the match and came very close to scoring more than once but the scoreboard stayed at 1-0. Tech outshot Missouri (8-3, 0-1), 20-14. Taylor Lytle covered the entire pitch throughout the match and led the team with five shots.
"First of all, Lytle was fantastic--she made the game for us all night," Stone said. "Certainly, the early goal helped but we were committed to attacking as a point of our game plan not to let Missouri get rolling. They did have their moments as well but outshooting the Tigers and having more corner kicks then them speaks to our ability to withstand pressure and still get into attack mode."
Victoria Esson made five saves and recorded her third-straight shutout and fifth of the season. Tech has shutout seven of its ten opponents this season.
"Victoria was outstanding again tonight--her two big saves were crucial to the result and they kept us in the lead at a time when Missouri was trying to get momentum," Stone said. "Victoria was special tonight."
The crowd that was a combination of the Lubbock Soccer Association and Red Raider soccer alumni provided an unbelievable atmosphere. The 1,428 fans are the most since the Kansas match of last season.
"We take it very seriously that these ladies were the pioneers of TTU soccer--back in the day, this team did not get to enjoy such world class facilities and such a wonderful game day environment so they. We were thrilled to have so many come back and re-connect with us and it was a goal of ours to show them how far we have come and how much their contributions mean to us. "
The Red Raiders are now 4-1 in Big 12 Conference openers under Stone.
