Texas Tech Red Raiders
Overall Rank: #22
Conference Rank: #2 Big 12 
Texas Tech Team Page
The Texas Tech women’s soccer program had a season to remember in 2012. The Red Raiders came ever so close to upsetting Florida State in Tallahassee where they lost an epic 3-2 battle in overtime. The Red Raiders return a lot from this 2012 team and are eager to take that next step to get to the Sweet 16 and beyond in 2013.
2012 Record: 16-6-1, 5-2-1
2012 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Tom Stone
Strengths:
The Red Raiders were very tough to play at home in Lubbock last season with a home record of 9-1-0. Lubbock is not an easy place to travel to and, with the spread out nature of the Big 12, playing at home is a huge advantage for Texas Tech as they have a very rabid fan base as well. The Red Raiders averaged over 1,000 fans per home match in 2012. Sophomore Janine Beckie is the engine of this attack for Texas Tech. Beckie has spent time with the U-20 U.S. National Team and is looking to build off a fantastic freshman season where she scored 14 goals. Beckie secured a ton of postseason honors as well such as being NSCAA Second-Team All-American and Big-12 Rookie of the Year. Paige Strahan and Jessica Fuston are also two very talented and dangerous goal scorers that should have plenty of open chances if teams double Beckie. Defensively, Victoria Esson returns in goal to anchor things along the backline. Esson had a school record tying seven shutouts in 2012 and will be relied upon heavily again in 2013 to carry the Red Raiders defensively.
Weaknesses:
The Red Raiders record away from Lubbock last season was 3-4-1. The ability to be above .500 on the road will go a long away in helping the team get home field advantage in the NCAA Tournament for a little bit longer in 2013 instead of having to go on the road. Another key point of emphasis will be to cut down the amount of shots on frame. In 2012 the opposition had a 47.5 percentage of shots on frame. If the Red Raiders can slice that number down to closer to 40 percent then they should be in great shape to be in contention for a Big 12 Championship, and be in the mix to seed as one of the Top 16 seeded teams in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
Final Projection:
The out of conference schedule for Texas Tech sets up nicely for a fast start. The opener at Denver will immediately be a great litmus test to see where the Red Raiders stand nationally. They also play West Virginia in Lubbock in Big 12 play and then travel to Waco to play Baylor. These two games will set up a knock-down, drag-out street fight between these three teams to determine the Big 12 Champion. The Red Raiders play an exciting style of soccer that should set up them up to just about run the table at home again in 2013. If the defense can evolve some and get the goals allowed total down in the teens, the Red Raiders should be primed to make a multiple weekend run in the 2012 NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Janine Beckie, Sophomore, Forward, 14
Assists: Janine Beckie, Sophomore, Forward, 5; Jaelene Hinkle, Junior, Defender, 5
Shots: Janine Beckie, Sophomore, Forward, 122
Saves: Victoria Esson, Senior, Goalkeeper, 88
Madness 2013 Women’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#60 Maddy Crabtree
#78 Meagan McCullough
See All Women's Soccer Top 44 Team Previews
