Texas Out-toughs Texas Tech Women’s Soccer

Something not often said this season is Texas was the tougher team.  The 4th seed Longhorns’ journey to the Big 12 Championship tournament was one of a skillful team defeating a less skillful team.  It has not been one of a tougher team defeating a less tough team, until tonight. 

The University of Texas Longhorns women’s soccer was the tougher team, showing grit and wanton desire, as they defeated the Texas Tech Red Raiders 1-to-0 in the semifinals of the Big 12 Championship. 

This marks the second time in three seasons that the Longhorns will play in the Championship finals.  Texas last won the Big 12 Conference tournament in 2007. 

“I’m pleased for the group. We get another day. I’m just really proud of the grit and determination everyone showed today,” said Texas head coach Angela Kelly. 

The match’s only goal came less than five minutes into the second half.  Texas defender Lauren Lapomarda split two Texas Tech defenders with a pass at midfield. Forward Trinity Byars collected the pass and out-paced two Texas Tech defenders to the top of the box. Byars’ shot to the bottom-right corner of the goal  beat goalkeeper Madison White. 

Over the remaining 40 minutes of the match, the Texas defense held Texas Tech’s offense to only five shots with the final occurring at the 78:32 mark of the second half.    

The Longhorns out-performed the Red Raider throughout the match, taking a 19-to-8 advantage in shots, a 5-to-2 lead in shots-on-target, and an 8-to-4 command on corner kicks. 

Texas’ defeat of the #4 ranked Red Raiders became the highest-ranked opponent defeated since November 17, 2007.  The win also marks the first time Texas has beaten a ranked opponent since September 26, 2019.