Nate Maki | Author Sportswriter
Hoping to end the losing streak, the Baylor football team traveled to Lubbock Thursday night to take on Texas Tech at the John Walker Complex. The Bears faced a solid defense and lost a close game 1-0.
The pace was relatively slow in the first half, with around 31 throw-ins extending the clock and neither team gaining much momentum. Junior goaltender Azul Alvarez was tested only twice for the Red Raiders (10-2-1, 5-0-1, Big 12) in minutes 24 and 29. The Bears (6-5-3, 1-3-2 Big 12) didn’t get a single shot on goal, and the scoreboard was blank at halftime.
The second half was more of the same, with Texas Tech’s defense continuing to shut out the Bears. Baylor finally attempted its first shot on goal in the 74th minute off a shot by junior forward Tyler Isgrig. Alvarez also played well in the second half, making two more saves in the 51st and 60th minutes.
In the end, their drought of points came to an end in the 62nd minute. A long pass from midfield caught the Bears’ backline off guard and sent the Red Raiders’ shot flying over the goal. Junior goalie Azul Alvarez jumped to block the shot and flicked the ball straight over the top. However, instead of going over the net, the ball returned to the field and bounced into the goal for the first and only goal of the game, giving the Red Raiders a 1-0 lead.
The rest of the second half saw the Bears try to catch up. The biggest chance came from Azul Alvarez’s goal kick in the 80th minute. The kick was headed off by junior defender Harry Augustin, putting serious pressure on the Red Raiders’ back line. Unfortunately for the green and gold, the ball was sent away too soon and any chance of victory disappeared. Baylor had more chances as time went on, but was unable to put the game together and the game ended in a loss.
The Green and Gold players return home to take on Arizona State (7-2-3, 2-2 Big 12) next Thursday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Betty Lou Mays Field.
