Blackburn scores, ties program assist record (27), as Tech Rolls Oregon 5-1

Up 1-0, Blackburn was again involved with the second goal, when the All-American threaded a perfect long ball to a streaking Ashleigh Williams. Williams, who despite ripping 19 total shots over the season’s first six matches hadn’t scored, quickly changed that when she raced past the Oregon (3-3) backline and slotted a shot past the Ducks keeper.

The assist for Blackburn was her 27th of her career which ties her with 2024 Texas Tech Hall of Famer Taylor Lytle for the all-time program mark.

Armed with a two-goal lead, the Red Raiders hit their magic number of three goals moments later, when a perfect 1-2 sequence from Peyton Parsons and Elise Anderson resulted in the first career goal for sophomore Storie Sexton.

Sexton, who tonight became the ninth different Red Raider to score this season, tapped in a perfect feed from Anderson for the Red Raiders third goal of the night in the 15th minute.

Up by three, the Red Raiders struck for a pair of goals in the 33rd and 36th minutes respectfully, as sophomore Skylar Haase buried a perfect pass from Alana Harry for her second goal of the season and Kaitlyn Giametta scored a penalty kick goal for her second goal in as many matches.

Heading to the locker room with a 5-0 lead, Tech did allow a 69th minute goal by Oregon’s Taylor Bryan before closing out a tidy 5-1 win.

In her first action since suffering an injury back on Aug. 25 against Utah State, GK Faith Nguyen made one save in just under 80 minutes of action before exiting for Oregon Sidney O’billovich midway through the 80th minute.

With the victory, the Red Raiders have now won three matches in-a-row and closed non-conference play with five wins in seven matches. Tech will also take a 17-match regular season home unbeaten streak into Big 12 play. Thursday’s 5-1 win also marked the 59th straight win when scoring at least three goals.

HEAD COACH TOM STONE:
“We’ve been saying we are a work in progress, which we still are. The second half tonight showed that. But we came out  to start with so much confidence and were so assertive. We whipped the ball around, and our girls took Blair Quinn‘s scouting report to heart. We thought we knew what Oregon would do, and they probably knew what we were going to do. But we were good at executing the game plan. And then again, Blair’s video scout was right on the money. So we just felt like we came ready and we’re getting better each week. That’s important obviously at this point because we head to the Big 12 next. That was a tremendous first half. Five goals by halftime is a tremendous outing for the team.”

On Williams finally getting on the score sheet:
“The key to Ashleigh’s performance tonight was her performance last game against ORU. She was on the front porch and knocking on the door. She had a few far post headers, she was sliding all over the place, but the goalkeeper made a couple of key saves, and she couldn’t believe it. That performance led to today. Based on that, I almost knew she was going to score today, but I didn’t want to say anything and jinx it. She was unleashed last game and back to Ashleigh. She demonstrated her total work rate and put everything she had into every play. That’s how Ashleigh scores. She’ll wear you down if you’re playing against her. You might have her for a while, but she’ll wear you down because she’s strong. The team rallies when Ashleigh scores. They were so happy for her, and she came over to the sideline to celebrate, which was a great moment. Getting Ashleigh on track tonight was great. She’s scored 30+ goals in her career halfway through her final season, which is amazing. We’ve had very few players crack 30 goals. So we’re happy for Ash and she needed that.”