MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State looked to spring the upset on Thursday night at Buser Family Park against 25th-ranked Texas Tech, but the Red Raiders used a late first half goal for a 2-1 win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Texas Tech (8-2-1, 3-0-1 Big 12) went on top in the 21st minute. A corner from Macy Blackburn found the head of Taylor Zdrojewski. Her attempt ricocheted off the crossbar and found the foot of Peyton Annen who finished from seven yards.
- K-State (3-7-1, 0-4-0 Big 12) squared the match at one in the 39th minute. Freshman Allison Marshall intercepted a Red Raider pass just outside the 18-yard box and slid a pass across to freshman Hannah Palmer. Palmer coolly finished past the Texas Tech keeper into the upper right corner. This was Palmer's first career goal, while Marshall earned her second assist of the season.
- The Red Raiders quickly went back in front, scoring in the 40th minute. Texas Tech created chaos in the box on its ninth corner kick of the first half. Kaitlyn Giametta beat K-State goalkeeper Murphy Sheaff to a loose ball three yards off the line and gave Texas Tech the 2-1 halftime lead.
- Texas Tech ended the match with a 22-6 advantage in total shots and a 14-5 lead in corner kicks.
- K-State junior goalkeeper Murphy Sheaff made five saves on the night. This was Sheaff's seventh match this season and the 15th of her K-State career with five or more saves.
FROM THE HEAD COACH
K-State Head Coach Mike Dibbini
On the takeaways against a ranked opponent …
"I think we competed hard tonight. We had really good moments, defensive moments, and the run of play was really good. Attacking moments, some transition moments. We had some opportunities. Obviously, we have got to pay attention a little bit more on the details of the game. We gave up two goals on second balls, defensively, and on restart corners. We don't typically do that, which was a big surprise. But I mean, overall our performance against a really good team, I thought we competed tonight and just didn't get a bounce our way tonight for that second goal to equalize."
On offensive improvement…
"I think we're competing, and when we're competing, it creates chances. And I felt like that was a really good team there. We made them work, and we made them work for their goals and for their opportunities. It didn't come easy for them. Hopefully one of these days, one of these games, we get the ball to bounce our way a few times."
On consistent growth from the team and young players coming in…
"I think so. And there's a lot of good moments where we're able to play through pressure a little bit consistently, possessing the ball a little bit. We have an identity. So I think we've seen some good things, but we have got to focus on the details, and today, not in the run of play, but we gave up two set pieces that we don't typically do. We have got to be better for the next game."
QUICK FACTS
- Texas Tech leads the series, 6-1-0.
- The Wildcats are 16-40-8 in matches played in the month of September, including a 1-5-1 mark this season.
- With Palmer's goal, K-State has had 10 different players score a goal this season – tied for third in a single-season in program history.
- Palmer's goal was the 13th assisted goal this season by the Wildcats.
- K-State's 15 assists this season rank third in school history for a single-season.
PLAYER NOTES
- Marshall is tied for third in program history for assists in a freshman season (2).
- Marshall owns six points this season, which is second on the team and ranks third in school history in a freshman season.
- Junior defender Jazmin Brown played 90 minutes on Thursday. With the effort, Brown boosted her career minutes played total to 3,956 and ranks eighth in program history for career minutes played.
- With her start in frame, Sheaff remains in third in program history for career starts in goal with 29. Sheaff is third in program history for career matches in goal with 29.
- Senior midfielder Adah Anderson played in her 66th career match, which is sixth in school history for career matches played.
- Junior midfielder Khalianna Garrett made her first start of the 2024 season and the second of her career.
UP NEXT
K-State ends its two-match home stand on Sunday afternoon, as the Wildcats host UCF at 12 p.m. Sunday's match is the second annual Pups on the Pitch event, as fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to Buser Family Park. The first 100 dogs in attendance will receive a K-State chew toy. Sunday is also a Youth Team Game. For tickets, visit kstatesports.com/tickets or call (800) 221-CATS. Sunday's match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Soccer, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.