Blackburn’s Free Kick; Anderson’s header, Powers No. 25 Tech to Walk-off Win over No. 14 UT

AUSTIN, Texas — Hannah Anderson headed in a Macy Blackburn free kick as time expired Thursday night, sending No. 25 Texas Tech past No. 14 Texas, 2-1, in a pivotal Big 12 Conference matchup at Mike A. Myers Stadium.

The victory kept the Red Raiders’ undefeated record in tact as Texas Tech improved to 8-0-2 on the season and a perfect 2-0 in Big 12 play. The loss was the second of the season for Texas, which dropped to 7-2-1 overall and 1-1 in conference action. It’s also the Red Raiders first true road win of the season and the first road top-25 win since Sept. 21, 2019 when the Red Raider downed then No. 22 USF 2-1. By downing No. 14 UT, Tech also recorded its highest ranked win since 2015 when the then ranked No. 18 Red Raiders downed No. 2 WVU in the Big 12 Championship match.

With the win, Texas Tech also snapped Texas’ 19-game Big 12 unbeaten streak, a streak that spanned nearly three years. Ironically enough, the last time Texas fell in a Big 12 match was against Tech back on Nov. 6th 2020.

The goal by Anderson in the 89th minute was her third of the season and possibly the most memorable thus far in her career as the senior captain got behind the Texas back line and beat Texas goalkeeper Megan Hogate to a perfect ball from Blackburn. Anderson headed the ball to the left post as it crossed the goal line as time expired. Hogate entered the match in the 30th minute of Mia Justus who left due to injury.

On the game-winner, Blackburn recorded her 20th career assist in just her 31st game. The defender became the sixth Red Raider to record 20 assists in program history tonight.

The Red Raiders previously scored earlier in the match off an Ashleigh Williams rebound in the 11th minute. Williams, who found the back of the net for her team-leading 10th goal already this season, quickly drilled a ball off a rebound that originally came from an Alex Kerr shot off the crossbar.

Texas tied the match in the 37th minute off a Trinity Byars goal that was one of 16 shots on the night from the Longhorns against Red Raider goalkeeper Madison White, who made three saves in the win.

Texas led the shot count with a 16-13 advantage. Entering the match having scored a NCAA-best 39 goals the Red Raider held the Longhorns to just the Byers strike in the 37th minute.

HEAD COACH TOM STONE:
“The character and heart of this team was demonstrated tonight. They just don’t give up. This was one of those games where we had some great moments especially in the first 25 minutes. I goal was classic and exactly how we’ve played this year. It was a great finish by Ashleigh [Williams]. But Texas had a lot of the game too. We had to suffer, deal with and handle how talented they are. As the game went back-and-forth, both teams had to dig in. I think we were headed for a draw despite us having some fantastic chances and Maddie White on the other end making some fantastic saves. Once they fouled us with four seconds to go we figured we might as well put everyone in the box and see what happens. It was an unbelievable serve from Macy [Blackburn], a great flick from Hannah [Anderson] and the ball went in. This will go down as one of the most exciting and dramatic finishes that I’ve been a part of here at Texas Tech. It doesn’t mean we’ve gotten anywhere special. It just means we’ve played really well against a very, very good team. We have a lot of season left to hopefully continue this trend of believing in ourselves and digging in when we’re playing well and scoring goals. And then when we’re not defending with everything we have.”

UP NEXT:
The Red Raiders will stay on the road this weekend as they travel up I-35 to face Baylor at 1 p.m. Sunday in Waco. The match will air live via Big 12 Now on ESPN

–TECH–

Release provided by Andrew Stern Texas Tech Athletics