Texas Tech Soccer Opens NCAA Tourney Play

For the third year in a row, Texas Tech soccer will get to compete in the post-season. They are a #3 seed and will get to host their first game at the John Walker Soccer Complex where we have a powerful home field advantage. Even though they fell in the first round of the Big XII tournament to those pesky Longhorns, they still maintain a #16 ranking nationally because of their full body of work this season. I don't feel like we have seen this team at its best for much of conference play, and they've had lots of unlucky breaks along the way, but I'm hopeful that they can start strong tonight, as the NCAA tourney offers a fresh slate.

Tickets are still available for $7 for adults and $3 for kids/students for those in the Lubbock area. For fans unable to attend the match, the entire contest will be shown for free on TexasTech.TV.

Here's the full bracket for the NCAA tournament.

Watch the video of the announcement and Coach Stone and the players' responses:

The official site has some interesting facts about Texas Tech's NCAA tournament history.

TEXAS TECH IN THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP
• This will be Texas Tech's third-straight season to be selected to the NCAA Championship.
• Texas Tech is the No. 3 seed in its regional, marking the first time the Red Raiders have ever earned a national seed for the NCAA Championship.
• Texas Tech is 2-1-1 all-time in the NCAA Championship, including a perfect 2-0 in opening round matches.
• Texas Tech will be hosting the opening round match at the John Walker Soccer Complex for a third-straight season. The Red Raiders previously defeated North Texas in 2012 and Minnesota a year ago.
• The Red Raiders have not allowed a goal in either of their two previous opening round matches as Texas Tech defeated North Texas, 2-0, in 2012 and then routed Minnesota, 3-0, last season.
• Texas Tech has averaged 1,430 fans in its two previous stints hosting an NCAA opening round match at the John Walker Soccer Complex.
• Friday night will mark Texas Tech's first ever postseason match against a member of the SWAC Conference.
• Texas Tech has scored at least two goals in all four of its previous NCAA Championship matches.

And here we have the weekly Rolling with Stone that gives us more insight into this game and preparations.

For those of you able to watch the game, this will be your Game Thread to comment and keep the rest of us up-to-date.

Guns Up and Wreck 'Em, Tech!