Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders Ranked 14th in Final NSCAA Poll
December 09, 2014 | Women's Soccer
The Red Raiders were ranked 14th nationally in the final NSCAA/Continental Tire top-25 poll that was released Tuesday. It was the highest postseason ranking for Texas Tech in program history.
Dec. 9, 2014
The ranking marks the third-straight season where the Red Raiders have finished in the top 25 of the NSCAA poll as Tech was previously No. 25 in 2012 and then No. 17 a year ago.
Tech was the highest-ranked school from the Big 12 Conference in the final poll as West Virginia was one spot behind the Red Raiders at No. 15 while Kansas was No. 23 overall. Fellow conference foe Texas was also receiving votes.
The Red Raiders concluded the season 16-4-2 overall, marking their third-straight season to record at least 16 wins. Tech advanced to the third round of the NCAA Championship for the first time in program history where the Red Raiders fell to No. 2 seed Florida, 3-2, on a late goal in regulation.
Tech defeated three teams - Notre Dame (No. 11), California (No. 20) and Kansas (No. 23) - during the regular season that were ranked in the final NSCAA rankings, all of which that came on the road. The Red Raiders were the only school in the country to top three top-25 RPI teams on the road during the regular season.
This is the 24th-consecutive week where the Red Raiders have appeared in the NSCAA poll, a streak that dates back to the 2013 season. Tech will likely enter the 2015 season ranked in the top 25 once again as the Red Raiders are slated to return eight starters from this season.
Janine Beckie, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, leads the group of returners that also includes All-Big 12 second team honorees Hannah Devine and Lauren Watson, All-Big 12 newcomer team selection Cassie Conarty as well as Tech single-season assist record breaker Alli Murphy.
In addition to appearing in the NSCAA final poll, Tech was also ranked 12th in the postseason rankings conducted by the soccer website, TopDrawerSoccer.com.
