K-State capped its Big 12-only schedule with a record of 3-6-0. This marked the most wins in league play since the program started as a member of the Big 12 in 2017.
The Wildcats, winners of three of their final five matches, also clinched a seventh-place finish in the league standings which marked its highest finish in the league standings.
"It's unexplainable right now, they bought in ever since the Texas match," said K-State head coach Mike Dibbini about his team's performance in the final five matches of the season. "The culture, the love for each other, the way they approach the game, the way they approach training, I mean everything top to bottom has been just unbelievable. It's bittersweet too, being a COVID year. The opportunity to make the Big 12 tournament is our first realistic goal and it happened tonight. It's unfortunate that that is the case, because these girls deserve it. But they set their goals, set their expectations and they reached it. There is progress, and there is a process, and baby steps. And those steps were taken tonight. We turned a chapter tonight, and now can we build off of this taking some momentum into the spring."
K-State broke open the match in the 36th minute. Following a foul on Texas Tech at midfield, sophomore Bailey Nemechek saw a window and played a quick free kick to senior Christina Baxter. Baxter brought the ball to within 20 yards and unleashed a rocket into the upper right corner of the Texas Tech goal.
"I was just telling Gabe's (assistant coach Gabe Romo) dad about it, in the moment I didn't even realize and I almost blacked out in that moment," said Baxter about the leadup to and completion of her goal. "Me and Bailey locked eyes and I knew she was going to play me the ball. It felt like I just needed to shoot it, and I saw it going and I could not believe it. Of course, this happens on senior night. This is amazing."
The goal was Baxter's first of the season and first since September 12, 2019, when she scored against Gonzaga. The goal was the fourth of Baxter's career. She is the fourth K-State player to score at least one goal in all four seasons of her Wildcat career. Baxter ranks tied for fifth for career goals with four and is tied for sixth for career points with 10.
The Red Raiders outshot the Wildcats in the first half, 17-5, but only held a 5-3 lead in shots on goal.
In the second half, Texas Tech's Hannah Anderson was served her second yellow card of the night in the 57th minute and sent off with a red card forcing the Red Raiders to play with 10 players for the final 33 minutes.
K-State took advantage of the absence, as sophomore Kyler Goins collected a long ball in the 63rd minute. As Goins raced down the sideline in front of the K-State bench, she drew the attention of all of the Texas Tech defenders in retreat which left freshman Maddie Weichel wide-open in the middle of the field.
Goins rolled a pass to Weichel, who took one touch and fired past Texas Tech goalkeeper Madison White from 16 yards. The goal was the first of Weichel's career, while Goins was awarded her first assist at K-State and the second of her collegiate career.
"I just wanted to get that goal for the team, just because 1-0 is a good lead but 2-0 is even better," said Weichel about her first career goal. I just wanted to get that lead for our team. And finish it off for us."
K-State was led in goal by freshman goalkeeper Peyton Pearson. The product of Tulsa, Oklahoma, made her collegiate debut a memorable one as she stopped a K-State season-high nine shots and pocketed her first career win and shutout.
"Any one in the first half that were simple and just came right at me," said Pearson about when she settled into the match. "They just kept coming, but really just those one's in the first half that just came right at me and I could just get my grip on the ball."
Pearson was the second K-State freshman goalkeeper this season to register a win and shutout, joining Alaina Werremeyer.
"That was some great stuff and great saves," said Dibbini about his first time starter in frame. "I mean there have been a lot of surprises this year, and this goes to show how deep this team is. Even our young players coming in have done a great job. Peyton did an amazing job tonight, I'm proud of her for stepping in and making some really big saves. I couldn't have asked for a better night for her."
Texas Tech (2-5-2) finished the night with a 28-13 lead in total shots and a 9-5 edge in shots on goal. The Red Raiders also topped K-State in corner kicks, 11-2. With the two goals on Friday, the Wildcats set a school record for goals in Big 12 action with 10 and goals per game in Big 12 play (1.11 gpg).
In a postmatch ceremony, K-State honored the departing 2020 senior class of: Baxter, Grace Brennan, Brookelynn Entz, Avery Green, Shelby Lierz, Brooke Ramos and Maddie Souder. The group was a part of 16 of the program's 20 wins and helped the Wildcats transition into the Big 12 with five wins. In the classroom, the group also collected a combined 10 Academic All-Big 12 honors.
"They are excited and they love each other like I said," said Dibbini about his team's celebration at the end of the match. "It really is a family and it showed tonight. A lot more than anything else. They played for each other and they wanted to win this senior night for each other."
What They Said
MIKE DIBBINI, HEAD COACH
On Christina's goal…
"It was much needed, much deserved, she has been very consistent for us all year. For her to go out on a goal like that, probably the goal of the year, it was unbelievable. I am proud of her, and she deserves that on."
On the future of the team…
"You're turning a chapter into it right now. And in that direction we have a young team returning, we lose our seniors, who've done everything for us, but they have understudied this group. They know what it takes to win, we've done a lot of great things. But for us to win three Big 12 games is a major statement for us and I'm excited about this team."
On how they beat the possession of Texas Tech…
"Stay organized, communicate, keep the ball in front of us, we knew they were going to come at us. They are a deceptive team, this was the team that people selected to win this year. They just came out of a funk, but we knew they were going to be really good. If you look at the last half of their season it was very similar to us, they were winning a lot more games, they had some COVID players back, they had some injury players back. This was the team that was picked to win it, you can see why, when they had everyone back. But we held our ground defensively, held them off the boards, and did a good job of neutralizing them. I'm just really proud of the team right now."
CHRISTINA BAXTER, SENIOR FORWARD
On the future of K-State Soccer…
"This freshman class is truly amazing. They work so hard in and out of practice. They're just really good people and they have a lot of potential and they are going to have a huge impact on this program and I am excited to watch them do so well and I'm really proud of Maddie tonight for getting that goal. We all worked hard for each other on the field and it really showed tonight."
PEYTON PEARSON, FRESHMAN GOALKEEPER
On the long shot from Margaret Begley in the first half…
"It nicked off the top of my finger, my little finger tip hit it."
On the feeling after the 2nd goal from Maddie Weichel…
"Yes, it's just like relief. Like, if anything were to go wrong back there, at least you have a one goal lead. So you can get your mind right, and it's not just a tie, you have another goal to keep you in it."
On Tech's strategy of heavy crosses…
"They kept having to go down to the in-line and pass it in, so basically they said you just have to man mark your players, and for me I just can't go flying at it. Because if i miss and then the goal is wide open. So basically, just stay on my line, keep my feet set so if it were to come at me I would be ready to move."
MADDIE WEICHEL, FRESHMAN FORWARD
On scoring for her senior class…
"Oh it was so important. They have worked so hard and they deserve that win too. They have worked so hard this season and there have been some obstacles, but just too secure this last win was huge for them."
On that moment after hearing the final whistle…
"I mean that was just huge, the seniors have done so much for us. Brookelynn has done so much for this team too. I think it was just a moment for all of us to share, and coach told us that they had never won a senior night game. So it was huge for them.".
On the feeling after scoring her goal…
"I mean just excitement, we were all super pumped to just be in that situation."
On how she felt when the counter-attack began prior to her goal…
"I was low-key freaking out. I knew that I wanted to score the goal. So I was trying to keep composed and just score it."
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