Texas Tech, Arizona Play to 1-1 Draw Thursday
TUCSON, Ariz. – Powered by a strong start that included a goal from freshman Sam Courtwright, the Texas Tech Soccer program played the University of Arizona to a 1-1 draw Thursday night in the second match of the Arizona Classic hosted by UofA at Murphy Field at Mulchay Stadium.
With the draw, Texas Tech (5-0-2) remains unbeaten on the season and will now take a 12-match unbeaten streak in Sunday’s contest with Arizona State. The Sun Devils opened the Arizona Classic with a 1-0 victory over Utah State earlier on Thursday.
The match got off to a strong start for Tech, who used a pair of quick shots from Ashleigh Williams and Alex Kerr to put pressure on Arizona (2-1-3) early.
In the eighth minute, the Red Raiders made a strong run deep into Arizona territory. A cross from Williams was blocked away by a Wildcat defender, but the rebound fell right to Kylie Bahr who raced past the backline and ripped a ball that was blocked by a hand in the box.
The handball awarded a PK to the Red Raiders at the 7:32 mark. Coach Tom Stone turned to Kerr who ripped one to the lower-left corner that Arizona keeper Hope Hisey was able to punch out.
Much like Williams’ attempted cross, the rebound found a Red Raider, as Jillian Martinez ripped a shot near post that Hisey was able to kick save away from danger.
At the tail end of the 14th minute, Tech earned a corner kick on the right-hand side of the pitch. Rather than playing the ball into the box, the Red Raiders played it short to Courtwright who made a move before being tripped up at the edge of the 18 yard box.
The infraction was whistled as Tech earned a free kick.
On the ensuing free kick, defender Macy Blackburn again played a short ball in the direction of Courtwright who ripped a right-footed ball past Hisey for her second goal of the season.
The strike gave Tech a 1-0 lead.
Just 10 seconds into the 24th minute, Arizona nearly tied it when Savannah Holley ripped a shot that ricocheted off the crossbar, bounced and hit the crossbar a second time before being cleared away.
Arizona continued to buzz following the sequence, but couldn’t find the equalizer before the break, as the match went to the half with the Red Raiders leading 1-0.
Just under 10 minutes into the second half, Arizona found the equalizer when a corner kick attempt bounced to Aranda Hurge who found Sam Baytosh just outside the Red Raider six-yard box.
Baytosh ripped a shot to that White may have gotten a piece of before the ball bounded into the night.
The strike tied the match at one-all.
Tech and UofA continued to battle down the stretch with neither side finding much in the way of a scoring chance until a Red Raider corner kick in 78th minute bounced to reserve Elise Anderson.
Anderson took a go from about 25-yards out, but her on target shot was smothered by Hisey.
Just a matter of moments later, the Red Raiders had another strong offensive sequence when a pair of shots by Kerr were blocked away.
The attempts from Kerr were the last strong chance as the Red Raiders and Wildcats settled for a tie.
For the first time this season, the Red Raiders were outshot in a match, as Arizona recorded 15 shots to Tech’s 12.
The Red Raiders did however win the shot-on-goal battle 6-5 and had six corners as opposed to Arizona’s three.
With her first half goal, Courtwright has now recorded a point in five straight matches, while Blackburn added her sixth assist of the season.
Courtwright’s goal was also Tech’s 23rd of the season in just the season’s seventh match. For context, the Red Raiders scored just 23 times all season in 2022.
UP NEXT:
The Red Raiders look to remain unbeaten on Sunday morning when they face the Arizona State Sun Devils. First Kick is set for 11 a.m. (CT)/9 a.m. (local).
–TECH–
Release provided by Andrew Stern Texas Tech Athletics
