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Baylor Soccer

Preview: Bears and Red Raiders battle for Big 12 lead Thursday night

September 29, 2021
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Thursday night’s soccer game at Betty Lou Mays soccer field will be a battle of Big 12 unbeatens, as the green and gold welcome the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

While the Bears were on the road earning two hard-fought 2-1 victories over Oklahoma State and then #8 TCU, the Raiders were hosting Oklahoma and Kansas State. They absolutely dominated the Sooners 7-0 with star senior forward Kirsten Davis netting a hattrick. Davis also netted the winner in their 2-0 victory over the Wildcats. 

Texas Tech is a hot team right now, having scored multiple goals in their last eight games. They are 9-1-1 on the year but did not face quite the level of non-conference competition that Baylor did.

The Red Raiders are also a very physical team, with Bears’ coach Paul Jobson naming Tech, West Virginia and Baylor as the three most physical sides in the Big 12. For more of coach’s insights into the Red Raiders and the Bears’ wins last week, check out his midweek presser:

Despite the physicality, or maybe even because of it, Tech plays fast. They average 2.73 goals per game and have put 30 in the back of the net through eleven games compared to just six for their opponents. Their best non-conference opponent, Arizona State, scored three of those goals though. Baylor sits just three votes behind the Sun Devils in the polls, theoretically #26 and #27.

Between the pace and roughness, these teams match up very well with each other. It might just take an individual moment of brilliance here or there to separate the teams, as far as the scoreboard is concerned at least.

Taylor Moon has had a couple of those in the last two games and will look to continue her streak on Thursday. Hear more from Moon in her media availability below (I apologize in advance for the focusing issues).

Having tested themselves more and opened the conference with tougher matches, if anyone should be favored in this game, it's Baylor. Between attackers like Moon and Elizabeth Kooiman on the wings, the Bears have had strong play through the middle of the field lately courtesy of Ally Henderson-Ashkinos and Maddie Algya.

And if those players don’t inspire enough confidence, then maybe you can find some from three-time Big 12 goalie of the week Jennifer Wandt. Those are just the weekly awards she has won this season by the way. Check out more from Wandt in her midweek presser here:

Formations-wise, Tech will play a 4-4-2 and run their attackers hard at the Baylor backline. As always the Bears will play a 4-3-3 which may help them win the midfield battle with greater numbers. 

Both teams will know that a win means a clearer path to a regular-season title, but they will also be focused on the task at hand.

The Bottom Line: Baylor has played better competition all season and I think that will pay off for them. They will be ready for the physicality and pace.

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Preview: Bears and Red Raiders battle for Big 12 lead Thursday night

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