By Parmida Schahhosseini
Sports Writer
Baylor soccer snapped its three-game losing streak with a scoreless tie in double overtime on Sunday against No. 7 Texas Tech at home. The Bears also played on Friday against Texas and lost 2-1 at Mike A. Myers Field in Austin.
“I was so proud of my team this weekend because people came together and tried to motivate each other,” senior midfielder Kat Ludlow said.
Mental mistakes have been the main problem during the losing streak, including the 2-1 loss against the Longhorns, which ended a program-record 12-match road unbeaten streak. The Bears played strong in the first half, outshooting Texas 5-4 and holding a 4-0 edge in shots on goal, but Texas made the necessary adjustments to put pressure on the Baylor defense.
Texas capitalized when junior midfielder Sharis Lachappelle scored two quick goals in the 48th and 50th minute.
Junior forward Natalie Huggins scored Baylor’s lone goal in the 87th minute off a rebound that hit the back of the net.
The Bears have yet to win a Big 12 road opener under co-head coach Marci Jobson and it’s the first time since 2008 that Baylor has lost three straight matches.
Baylor showed its mental toughness by responding against a tough Texas Tech team.
Despite not coming out with a win, Baylor played a full game and didn’t concede any goals in the 0-0 hard-fought draw.
“It was an incredibly tough fight by the whole team,” Ludlow said. “We came out with a vigor and passion that’s kind of been lost for a few weeks.”
Baylor put pressure on the opposing defense, allowing for Baylor’s 13 shots, which put the Red Raiders in an uncomfortable position.
Ludlow almost scored a game winner, but the goal was negated. Despite the ball going into the net, her throw in didn’t touch an inbound player, therefore it wasn’t a live ball.
“I think Kat has finally looked like Kat again this season,” Jobson said. “In the beginning of the season she looked like Kat, then she broke her face. She had a terrible hit in the back of her head. She was trying to play through the mask and her confidence got a little bit rocked. The girl persevered and today we saw Kat Ludlow again.”
Baylor also had another chance in the second overtime in the 108th minute as freshman defender Lindsay Burns’ shot went high.
The Red Raiders went into the game posting 11 shutouts in 14 games, so Texas Tech is not an easy team to score on, but the Red Raiders offense has been just as potent. It came into the game scoring 38 goals as it gets production from committee scoring.
Baylor’s team defense rediscovered its groove and posted its 10th shutout of the season.
Junior goalkeeper Michelle Kloss also rebounded with four critical saves.
“I think our defense really locked down,” senior defender Taylor Heatherly said. “I’m so proud of everybody, it was really a team defense. The whole team played amazing defense, especially the marking backs, Klossy behind me and everybody in front of me.”
Baylor will go on the road to take on the Iowa State Cyclones at 7 p.m. Friday at the Cyclone Sports Complex.
