Arizona soccer tied Texas Tech University 1-1 on Thursday, Sept. 7, at Murphy Field at Mulcahy Soccer Stadium in Tucson. 

The stands were packed on Thursday night. Screaming children, loud supporters and energetic parents were projecting words of encouragement towards the Wildcats. The ZonaZoo student section filled up and other Arizona athletes made an appearance.

This is the Wildcats’ 30th soccer season being part of Arizona’s Division I program. The Wildcats’ starting lineup consisted of Hope Hisey, Desiree Foster, Shanti Weddington, Megan Chelf, Sarah Rice, Cameron Valladares, Nyota Katembo, Aranda Hurge, Marissa Arnst, Sami Baytosh and Nicole Dallin. 

The game had an interesting start. The first shot on goal was taken by a Texas Tech player in the bottom center of the net, forcing Hisey to make a save. Weddington decided to take a shot in return on the Red Raiders, and the game quickly became scrappy and physical. A foul was called on Texas Tech in the 3rd minute and possession was awarded to Baytosh. 

Two corner kicks were called back-to-back for the Red Raiders in the 7th minute, but nothing resulted from it. Texas Tech player Sam Courtwright scored a goal in the 15th minute of the first half with a shot off of her right foot, making the score 1-0 in favor of the Red Raiders. Macy Blackburn was credited with the assist.

“The free kick that went in is – again, in my opinion – a soft goal,” head coach Becca Moros said. “It’s an opportunity to get better.”

Arizona’s defense was struggling to contain Texas Tech’s offensive line. Another shot was taken on the Wildcats in the 18th minute, but it was far off-target. Chelf was eager to get a chance on goal, so she took her shot in the 22nd minute, but it was off-target. Savannah Holley entered the game in the 22nd minute, then Maddy Koleno, Marley Chappel and Jessica Ramirez entered in the 23rd minute.

Arizona woke up from a bit of a rough start and started pressing the goal. Ramirez and Holley each ripped a shot on goal in the 32nd minute, but they both missed. 

The half ended 1-0 Texas Tech. 

Baytosh took over for Chappell in the midfield to start the second period. Arizona took the first two shots of the second half, with both coming from Hurge who showed relentless aggression, forcing the Red Raiders’ goalie to dive. Baytosh scored a goal in the 61st minute, tying the score at 1-1. 

“Aranda [Hurge] crossed it back,” Baytosh said. “I was just there in the middle waiting for the deflection.”

Ball possession went back and forth, with multiple opportunities for shots on each others’ goals. This resulted in a 1-1 tie to finish the game. 

The Wildcats last matchup against the Red Raiders was last year in August. The game resulted in a win for Arizona 1-0. 

“I think in the beginning of the first half, we were struggling to retain possession,” Hisey said. “Once we were able to calm ourselves down, we were able to get into a better rhythm, and we carried that into the second half.”

Arizona will play Utah State University to finish the Arizona Classic at home at Mulcahy Soccer Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 10, at 11:30 a.m.

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