Oct. 26, 2006
WACO, Texas -- The Baylor soccer team closes out the regular season this weekend as the Bears travel to Lubbock, Texas, to face Texas Tech in a Big 12 Conference match on Friday, Oct. 27, at 7:00 p.m.
"Obviously, it is a really important match for the team," head coach George Van Linder said. "A win improves our seeding at the Big 12 Championships and we want to head into the post-season with as much momentum as possible."
With a win against the Red Raiders, Baylor will be the No. 7 seed in the upcoming Big 12 Championships as the Bears would face No. 2 Oklahoma State on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 5:30 p.m. in San Antonio, Texas. A loss would mean Baylor would claim the No. 8 seed and face No. 1 Texas A&M at 11:00 a.m.
Baylor enters the match after dropping a pair of 1-0 decisions at Kansas and Colorado last weekend. The Bears (6-10-1, 3-6-0) are led by seniors Anna Schuch and Missy McConnell as Schuch leads the team with five goals, four assists and 14 points while McConnell ranks second on the squad with four goals and 10 points.
Texas Tech (6-11-2, 1-7-1) enters the weekend in 10th-place in the Big 12 Conference after falling at Kansas and Colorado last weekend. The Red Raiders are led by Brittney Harrison, who leads the team with nine goals, two assists and 20 points on the season. Tina Rincon has seen the most action in net for the Red Raiders as the goalkeeper has made 82 saves on the season while posting a 1.52 goals against average.
The match will mark the start of the "Battle for the Brand" rivalry as the winner of this year's match will be presented with a trophy to keep throughout the year.
Baylor owns a decided edge in the series as the Bears have never lost to the Red Raiders. The Bears own a 10-0-0 edge in the series, including a 3-1 win in Waco last year. The last time the teams squared off in Lubbock, Baylor captured a 3-2, double overtime victory.
Following the contest against the Red Raiders, Baylor will return to action at the Big 12 Championships in San Antonio. Depending on the result against Texas Tech, Baylor will face No. 1 Texas A&M or No. 2 Oklahoma State on Wednesday, Nov. 1.
