The No. 15 Texas Tech soccer team suffered its first loss of the 2016 season to No. 19 California, 4-0, on Friday night at the John Walker Soccer Complex.
 
“They deserve the credit, they came out and took over the game and kept possession,” head coach Tom Stone said. “They created chances. In the first half they had three shots on goal and three goals, that’s a pretty tough stat to overcome, especially when they had so much of the ball. So, they had the ball and a three-goal lead, and they put our young team in an odd position that they’re not used to.”
 
It was the first time the Red Raiders had lost against a ranked non-conference opponent since 2011. Texas Tech is now 5-3 all-time against ranked non-conference opponents under Tom Stone.
 
Cal (4-1-0) got off to a strong start on Friday, netting their first goal four minutes into the match, after Heather Walleigh found Arielle Ship, who used a header to notch her first goal of the year. The bears would strike again the 14th minute, as Miranda Nild lifted one over senior goalkeeper Lauren Watson to take a 2-0 lead.
 
The Red Raiders got an offensive opportunity from freshman forward Jade King a few minutes later, but her shot sailed above the net. However, the momentum would swing back to the Bears, who after three corners, found themselves with a penalty kick thanks to a Red Raider foul in the box. Kelly Fitzgerald, who already had two goals this season, picked up her third when she made a move to the left side and found the back of the net, giving Cal a 3-0 advantage going into halftime.
 
Tech recorded four shots in the first frame, while California put up 10. After the break, the Red Raiders put together a string of offensive chances, with shots coming from Tatum Barton, Brooke Denesik and King, but none of the three broke through.
 
In the 63rd minute, the Bears would score their final tally of the night, coming shortly after a corner kick from the far side, as Emma Fletcher put one in through traffic to put Cal up, 4-0.
 
Even though Tech recorded 10 shots in the second half, the Bears led in the category at the end of the night, 18-to-14, with eight on goal. King finished with four shots, two on goal.
 
The Red Raiders return to action on Sunday, Sept. 4, as they host Abilene Christian at 1 p.m. at the John Walker Soccer Complex.
 
(COURTESY: Texas Tech Media Relations)