Soccer knocks off No. 6 Texas Tech in Big 12 opener, 1-0 (OT)

Friday, September 26

Austin, Texas

7 p.m.

University of Texas

6-3-2, 1-0-0Big 12

Texas Tech

9-1-0, 0-1-0Big 12

Team	1	2	OT 2	Final F
Texas Tech	0	0	0	0
Texas	0	0	1	1

Soccer knocks off No. 6 Texas Tech in Big 12 opener, 1-0 (OT)

09.26.2014 | Soccer

Box Score

Olivia Brook’s sixth goal of the season proves the match-winner at 97:00

Photo Gallery

AUSTIN, Texas – A "golden goal" seven minutes into the first overtime, from the prolific foot of freshman forward Olivia Brook, proved the difference on Friday night at Mike A. Myers Stadium as Texas (6-3-2) handed No. 6 Texas Tech (9-1-0) its first loss of the 2014 season, 1-0 (OT).

The win marked the first for the Longhorns over a top-10 team since recording a 1-0 triumph over No. 10 BYU back on Sept. 20, 2010. The sixth-ranked Red Raiders were also the highest-rated opponent UT soccer has defeated since the Burnt Orange & White knocked off No. 5 Oklahoma State on Oct. 24, 2010, 1-0.

For Brook the goal marked her team-leading sixth score of the campaign, while sophomore forward Jasmine Hart was credited with her squad-best fifth assist and sophomore defender Isabelle Kerr earned her initial helper of the year.

"Every win in conference is huge," Texas head coach Angela Kelly said. "Texas Tech has had a phenomenal season, and I think they came in here 9-0. They are a very well-coached squad. I'm just proud of our resiliency and the way that we battled. They certainly created chances for themselves, as did we. Just big time for Olivia Brook to finish in that spot. It's not a great way to lose – I'll tell you that, but as a college athlete, it's a fantastic way to win. We are just excited to come out with the W."

Knowing the importance of the game at hand, both the Longhorns and the Red Raiders displayed a sense of urgency and began trading punches early in the game.

Texas Tech forward Maddy Crabtree opened up the shooting spree with a decisive header during the fourth minute, but Texas goalkeeper Abby Smith saved the ball with confidence, one of her seven saves in the match. Only a minute later, the Longhorns responded with a drive by forward Kelsey Shimmick that was blocked out of play.

Approaching the seventh minute, the midfield became a battlefield as both teams turned up the physical play. Off a UT corner, Texas senior defender Brooke Gilbert found herself in front of the keeper and blasted a point blank header that Lauren Watson, TTU's netminder, was barely able to send away from goal.

Texas Tech's forward Janine Beckie, who fired a match-high 10 total shots, swiftly found some space to register consecutive dangerous shots from the right side. She ripped the ball twice, the first time wide and the second time straight to Smith as the Plano, Texas, native was able to control the shot.

The Red Raiders best opportunity of the half came at 17:21 in the form of a solid through ball aimed for Beckie. The forward out ran two Texas defenders to position herself one-on-one against Smith at the left post, but Texas' netminder made a miraculous deflection to clear the ball away.

Seconds after that play, Texas used a breakaway to earn a corner kick. Off the take, the ball landed at the feet of Shimmick, who fired solidly, but wasn't able to find the back of the net as a combination of TTU defenders registered a team save in keeping the ball out of the twine.

In her first career start, Texas forward Morgan Murphy almost broke the scoreless deadlock at 18:38 as her drive from the right side of the 18 had to be tipped over the crossbar by a leaping Watson.

After half an hour of action, the game became stagnant at midfield with both teams having a tough time developing plays. As a result, Kelly sent an offensive boost onto the field in the form of Brook to take over on the right side. The move paid dividends as she had success out-pacing defenders and getting in position to create danger. Her efforts resulted in a corner and two crosses that posed great scoring opportunities for the Longhorns.

The second half opened just as the first one, with great offensive effort from both teams. Texas forward Olivia Brook wasted no time by forcing a save on a shot from the left side during the 47th minute.

In the 62th minute, Hart almost took Watson by surprise between the pipes by launching a dangerous shot from the left side of the field across the goal mouth that forced an equally impressive two-hand diving save.

While both teams had chances down the stretch in regulation, neither squad managed a single shot on goal over the last 20:58 as overtime would prove necessary.

When the first period of overtime began, Texas displayed the strong effort that has characterized the team throughout the year. It was finally at 97:00 when the effort finally paid dividends on the scoreboard. After Smith passed the ball up-field to Kerr, the defender located Hart in some space. The Haltom City, Texas, product chested the ball down and fed Brook out on the right wing. After one quick dribble, Brook launched a shot that nestled into the upper left corner of the twine to set off Longhorn jubilation.

Texas returns to action in Big 12 Conference play on Sun., Sept. 28, at Mike A. Myers Stadium at 1 p.m. CT against No. 17 West Virginia. The match will be broadcast live on Longhorn Network with Pete Pranica (play-by-play) and Monica Gonzalez on the call. Live updates will also be provided through the official Texas Soccer Twitter account @TexasSoccer.