The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Friday, November 9
Austin, Texas
7 p.m. CT
University of Texas
vs
Virginia Tech
No. 17 Soccer preview: NCAA First Round vs. Virginia Tech
11.08.2018 | Soccer
The Longhorns prep to begin their NCAA road against the Hokies at Mike A. Myers Stadium
Soccer Match 21 – NCAA TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND: Virginia Tech (9-7-3, 5-5-0 ACC) at No. 4 national seed Texas (13-4-3, 5-3-1 Big 12)
Time: Friday, Nov. 9 – 7 p.m. CT
Location: Austin, Texas (Mike A. Myers Stadium)
Tickets: LINK
COMPLETE TEXAS MEDIA SUPPLEMENT: LINK
TEXAS CLEAR BAG POLICY: Please note that there is a Clear Bag Policy in effect for fans when attending Texas Athletic events. For more details, please visit this LINK
TV: The match is scheduled to be televised exclusively on Longhorn Network.
Free Kicks:
- Texas is making its 13th all-time (and second consecutive) appearance in the NCAA Tournament, owning an 8-12-2 overall record in the event. Last season, the Longhorns advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for only the fourth time in school history before losing at eventual national semifinalist No. 3 Duke. UT is 4-3 all-time in NCAA matches in Austin and has won its last two NCAA home contests.
- The Burnt Orange & White will be facing Virginia Tech for the first time in program history. UT is 8-14-2 all-time against members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
- Despite playing in just one NCAA Tournament in her career, junior forward Cyera Hintzen (three NCAA goals, six NCAA points) is already closing in on becoming the most prolific NCAA scorer in program history. The Garland, Texas, native enters Friday tied with former Longhorns standout Kelsey Carpenter (2004-07) for the most NCAA goals in school annals (three) and is just two points from tying Carpenter for the most NCAA points (eight) in program history.
- Texas hasn't shied away from playing a tough schedule in 2018 as the Longhorns slate currently rates as the 12th-toughest in all of NCAA Division I women's soccer. In all, UT has played nine matches against RPI Top 50 squads and seven contests against RPI Top 25 foes this year.
- With wins over Kansas and Kansas State, Texas made program history by completing the first perfect regular-season home schedule in school annals at 10-0-0. Overall, UT has out-scored its 10 opponents at Mike A. Myers Stadium by a staggering total of 29-6. The Longhorns have NEVER finished a completely perfect home campaign in school history, which they could accomplish with a NCAA First Round win over Virginia Tech.
- Junior forward Cyera Hintzen is attempting to accomplish something that only two players (Nebraska's Morgan Marlborough - 2010 and West Virginia's Frances Silva - 2013) have ever done in Big 12 history, lead the conference in goals, assists and points for an entire season. The Garland, Texas, native is currently on top of all three categories in the league with 10 goals, nine assists and 29 points through 20 matches.
- Scoring first has been a predictor of success for the Longhorns this season as UT owns a 10-1-1 mark when putting the initial goal on the board. UT scored first during a 1-1 (2OT) tie at No. 4 North Carolina, while the lone loss when "tickling the twine" before an opponent occurred at No. 16 West Virginia, 2-1.
- Texas has had plenty of heroines this season as seven different Longhorns have registered match-winning goals over the opening 20 contests. During last year's successful 2017 season, only five different Texas players scored match-winning tallies.
- After going just 2-8 during one-goal matches during the 2016 season, the Longhorns have since turned around their fortunes in such contests by going a remarkable 18-7 over their last 25 one-goal matches since beginning 2017 and are 7-4 in 2018.
- The Longhorns managed 13 regular-season wins this season, tying the 2017 and 2007 Texas teams for the third-most regular season triumphs in program history. UT needs five more victories to tie the school record of 18 overall single-season wins set by the 2006 edition of the Burnt Orange & White.
- Outshooting opponents has been important for the Longhorns' success this season as Texas owns a 10-0-1 mark when firing more shots in a contest. UT out-shot No. 13 Oklahoma State, 18-14, but was dealt a 1-1 (2OT) tie.
- Texas is taking the mantra of "defending your home turf" to heart as the Longhorns are a perfect 10-0-0 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in 2018. UT has now won 11 consecutive home contests (including last year's NCAA First Round victory over North Texas) and 20 of their last 22 home match-ups overall. The program record for the longest home winning streak is 14 straight matches established over the 2004 & 2005 seasons.
- Senior forward Alexa Adams has tallied at least one point in nine of her last 16 matches. Sophomore midfielder Haley Berg has now totaled two points in seven of UT's last 16 contests and junior forward Cyera Hintzen has points in eight of the last 13 matches. In all, Hintzen has registered at least one point in 13-of-20 matches this season and at least two points in 10-of-20 (she's scored goals in eight-of-20).
- The Burnt Orange & White are an impressive 7-2-6 in overtime matches combining the 2017 & 2018 seasons (2-0-3 in 2018) and have gone to at least one extra session in 15 of their last 35 contests.
- Texas has scored first in 12 of its 20 matches during the 2018 campaign, and the Longhorns have trailed for only 171:35 (parts of matches against Texas State, Baylor, No. 13 Oklahoma State, TCU, No. 16 West Virginia, Oklahoma and vs. No. 14 West Virginia) out of 1863:08 of match time so far this season. Texas has scored first in 28 of its last 41 total matches dating back to the start of 2017.
- The Longhorns were ranked No. 13 in the eighth release of the NCAA Division I Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) on Monday. Texas ranks third in the Big 12, behind Baylor (fifth) and West Virginia (sixth), and is one of five total league schools in the RPI Top 23. The Big 12 also rated first this week in conference RPI.
- The Longhorns have wasted no time this season jumping on their opponents as UT has outscored the opposition during the first halves of matches by a combined total of 19-6. Texas State, No. 23 UCF, Baylor, No. 13 Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Oklahoma have managed to locate the net during the opening 45 minutes of play against Texas this year.
