Red Raiders defeat Kansas, 1-0, Sunday afternoon in the Big 12 Championship match.
Originally published TexasTech.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- For the first time in program history, Texas Tech has claimed the Big 12 Championship title as the 18th-ranked Red Raiders defeated Kansas, 1-0, Sunday afternoon at the Swope Soccer Village.
Behind a late goal from freshman Gwennie Puente, the Red Raiders will receive an automatic bid into the NCAA Championship as the tournament field will be announced Monday afternoon. This is the fourth-straight season where Texas Tech has advanced to the NCAA Championship.
Puente's goal in the 85th minute was her third of the season and her second in the tournament as she previously scored the opening goal in Texas Tech's 2-1 victory over Oklahoma. She fired back post on a pass from Jordan Duke, who collected the rebound from a Caity Heap shot attempt near the end line.
Kansas goalkeeper Maddie Dobyns dove right to save Heap's shot attempt from near the top of the box. It was one of Dobyns' two saves in the match.
Texas Tech goalkeeper Lauren Watson made possibly the play of the match in the 28th minute when she dove right to block a Liana Salazar penalty kick. Watson, who was named the Big 12 Most Outstanding Defensive Player, recorded three saves in her ninth shutout of the season.
Janine Beckie was also named the tournament's Most Outstanding Offensive Player, while Heap, Alli Murphy, Puente and Watson all garnered all-tournament team accolades as well.
Texas Tech will learn if it will host an opening round match in the NCAA Championship on Monday afternoon as the NCAA Selection Show is slated to air at 3:30 p.m. CT on NCAA.com.