Texas Tech Red Raiders
Overall Rank: #18
#2 Big 12
Texas Tech Team Page
Texas Tech finished the 2013 campaign with a very impressive 18-2-3 overall record. Losing just two games all season long is quite the feat. But it was one of those ties that the Red Raiders regret the most. Texas Tech ended up losing on penalty kicks to former conference foe Texas A&M in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Big 12 will be tougher this year and it is unlikely that any team will be able to go undefeated in conference play again.
2013 Record: 18-2-3, 6-0-2
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Tom Stone
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Janine Beckie, Junior, F, 12
Assists: Jaelene Hinkle, Senior, D, 6
Shots: Janine Beckie, Junior, F, 87
Saves: Lauren Watson, Sophomore, GK, 1
Other Key Returnees: F Briana Rohmer, F Maddy Crabtree, F/M Paige Strahan, M/F Caity Heap, M Alli Murphy, M Erin Inman, M Hannah Devine, D Jade Dapaah
Key Losses: M Jessica Disabella, D Kansas Bayly, D Mallory Yacullo, D Hayley Haagsma, GK Victoria Esson
Strengths:
Two years ago Janine Beckie scored 14 goals as a freshman. She certainly avoided a sophomore slump, finding the back of the net 12 times in 2013. Beckie is the obvious go-to-scorer for the Red Raiders, but Coach Tom Stone has a bevy of other goal scoring options as well. Last year eight players scored between three and five goals. Forwards Brianan Rohmer, Maddy Crabtree, Caity Heap and Paige Strahan are all capable scorers. Crabtree may be the player to watch out of that bunch. As a freshman she started just one game and played just 629 total minutes, but managed to score three goals and dish out four assists. Add midfielder Alli Murphy, who was second on the team with 14 points, and this should be the best offense in the Big 12.
Weaknesses:
It certainly was not the defense that failed the Red Raiders last year. They ranked third in the nation in goals-against average and second in shutout percentage. But the biggest reasons for those numbers are gone. Victoria Esson started all 23 games and allowed a mere nine goals. She had an amazing year and replacing her will be very difficult. The most experienced option is sophomore Lauren Watson. She played about 98 minutes as Esson’s backup as a freshman and recorded one save. Freshmen Carissa Christensen and Marissa Torres will provide competition. The back line also took a big hit due to graduation. Kansas Bayly, Mallory Yacullo and second round NWSL draft pick Hayley Haagsma must be replaced. Three year started Janine Beckie and Jade Dappah, who came on strong at the end of the year, are good pieces to build around, but this defense cannot be as good without Haagsma and Esson.
Final Projection:
Texas Tech’s domination of the Big 12 may end, but this is a team that will compete for another conference title and cruise into the NCAA Tournament. By then Coach Stone will have a keeper and maybe even a true secondary scoring option behind Beckie.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 2.09 (35th in nation, 1st in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.379 (3, 1)
Shutout Percentage: 0.739 (2, 1)
Save Percentage: 0.880 (6, 1)
Madness 2014 Women’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#112 Sara Summers
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