The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
7-3-4, 4-1-1
Texas Tech
8-3-4, 1-2-2
Soccer beats No. 17 Texas Tech on Jasmine Hart “golden goal”
10.16.2015 | Soccer
Longhorns’ junior forward scored with 21 seconds left on the clock in the second extra session
LUBBOCK, Texas – Junior forward Jasmine Hart's "golden goal" with just 21 seconds remaining in the second overtime powered Texas (7-3-4, 4-1-1 Big 12 Conference) to a stunning 2-1 (2OT) victory over No. 17 Texas Tech (8-3-4, 1-2-2 Big 12) on Friday night at the John Walker Soccer Complex.
The goal was the fifth-latest to win a match in Longhorns program history, and at 109:39, marked the latest "golden goal" winner for the Burnt Orange & White since the collegiate rules were altered to two 10-minute overtime sessions.
The decisive play developed out of the back as a drop kick from senior goalkeeper Abby Smith found the head of senior midfielder Lindsey Meyer well past midfield. The Coppell, Texas, native headed the ball forward through the defense directly to the feet of Hart, who moved to the top of the 18 before bending the match-winner into the upper 90 far post to secure the win.
The victory also marks the first time Texas has beaten two ranked teams in a single season since 2010 and the first time that UT has defeated two rated squads on the road since 2002.
"I thought Texas Tech played a heck of a game," Texas head coach Angela Kelly said. "For all intents and purposes, we stole one tonight. It was a great finish by Jaz (Hart) and Lindsey got up the field. Overtime is always tough for both squads. It was a battle, and Jaz tucked it away in the upper 90 far post. Just a great finish. I'm just really proud of our squad for their resiliency away from home and their effort."
Freshman forward Mikayla Flores opened the scoring for Texas at 29:25 on her second goal of the season, while rookie forward Alexa Adams and Meyer picked up their first and second assists of the year, respectively.
Texas had the best of the possession in the early going as Meyer registered the match's first shot on a blocked effort in the fourth minute.
Off a free kick on the left wing in the fifth minute, senior forward Chantale Campbell drove a blast right through the crowd inside the 18. It took a terrific diving save by TTU keeper Carissa Christensen to keep the Longhorns off the board.
Texas Tech's level of possession began to improve after the opening five minutes, but the Red Raiders couldn't manage a shot as the Longhorns defense continued to thwart counter attacks.
When TTU finally managed its first shot, it also broke the scoreless dead-lock at the 26:14 mark. Off a counter up the left wing, Gwennie Puente moved towards the end line. With Smith racing out to cut down the angle, the Tech midfielder played a ball back inside the 18. Trailing the play, forward Janine Beckie took control of the ball and finished past a crowd in the goal mouth from 14 yards for a 1-0 lead.
The Texas Tech advantage lasted just 3:11 as the Longhorns quickly equalized on their own counter break at 29:25. Continuing her recent offensive momentum, Adams made a strong run up the left wing and crossed to the middle. Flores raced into space unmarked near the top of the six-yard box and finished past Christensen on a leaping, right-footed volley to make it 1-1. For Adams, the assist was the first of her career and gave her nine combined points (four goals, one helper) over Texas' last three matches.
Things quieted down the remainder of the half with neither team managing a true serious threat on goal over the final 15-plus minutes.
Just 3:50 out of the break, Smith delivered an incredible save for Texas to keep the match dead-locked at one. A ball played to the middle of the 18 dropped right at the feet of forward Caity Heap in some space about 16 yards out. She launched a shot towards the left side of the twine, but UT's net minder dove fully-extended to her right to tip the drive inches outside the left post.
With 38:06 left in regulation, TTU appeared to have earned a penalty kick as Beckie went down inside the box. Instead of pointing to the spot, the match's head referee handed out a yellow card for apparent simulation as Texas took possession.
The action continued to grow more chippy by the minute with three yellows and 17 total fouls combined between the teams through 65 minutes.
Smith was at it again during the 66th minute as Tech's Beckie raced up the right wing in space and fired a low shot on frame that was corralled on a diving stop.
The Longhorns earned a free kick in a promising spot about 26 yards out on the right with approximately 20 minutes left. Junior midfielder Julia Dyche delivered a ball towards the back post, but it proved just a little tall as senior forward Kelsey Shimmick couldn't quite reach it on a leap.
Texas' Flores did some strong work on the left side with 8:16 remaining and fired a shot from a tough angle that forced Christensen to make a diving stop.
With just 3:54 left on the clock, Tech defensive forward Brooke Denesik broke into the clear up the left side. She quickly fired a dangerous shot that Smith managed to deflect on a dive at the left post, pushing the ball over the end line for another corner.
That proved to be the last shot for either team in regulation as the Longhorns would be pushed to OT for the fifth time in 2015.
It appeared that Tech might have the match won with 5:41 left in the first extra session as Puente broke in 1-v-1 up the middle of the 18. With a Texas defender desperately attempting to recover, Smith did everything she could for UT in an attempt to cut down the angle. Her effort had the desired effect as an eventual shot from 15 yards out was pushed just left of a wide-open net.
The Red Raiders had another glorious opportunity just 26 seconds into the second OT, but a Beckie attempt from the middle of the 18 traveled well over the crossbar.
Back-to-back corners for TTU in the 104th minute resulted in no shots, and Texas nearly got something going on a counter as a pass played over the top almost found Adams in some space behind the defense. A Tech defender rallied, however, to poke the ball back to Christensen.
With the Red Raiders offense swarming late in the final OT, Smith made a save and unleashed the goal kick that led to Hart's match-winner.
Team Stats
Beckie, Janine (8)
Assisted By: Puente, Gwennie
quick pass from Puente in the box turn a
26:14
Flores, Mikayla (2)
Assisted By: Adams, Alexa
cross in from the near side for the fini
29:25
Hart, Jasmine (1)
Assisted By: Meyer, Lindsey , Smith, Abby
Long punt headed forward then shot on go
109:39
