Parsons’ hat trick, two assists from Blackburn and Skurcenski, propel Tech to 4-0 win over Weber State

LUBBOCK, Texas – Peyton Parsons recorded a hat trick, while Macy Blackburn and Molly Skurcenski each added a pair of assists, to propel Texas Tech Soccer to another dominate 4-0 win at the John Walker Soccer Complex.

In her first start since injuring her right knee against the Horned Frogs a season ago, Blackburn made an immediate impact for Texas Tech (3-2), as the All-American recorded a pair of assists on the Red Raiders first two goals of the night, including a delivering a perfect pass to Parsons for a second-minute goal.

With the two assists, Blackburn passed Ali Murphy (24) for third all-time on the Red Raiders career assist list.

Blackburn now trails Kirsty Frantz for second on the all-time list by a singular assist and recent Texas Tech Hall of Fame inductee Taylor Lytle by just two for the all-time assist lad.

After heading to the locker room with a slim 1-0 lead, the Red Raiders again opened the half with a goal, when Taylor Zdrojewski buried a pair of strong feeds from Blackburn and Skurcenski for her fourth goal of the season.

Armed with a 2-0 lead, the Red Raiders quickly doubled their lead, when Parsons buried a free-kick from 20 yards out in the 65th minute, before burying a penalty kick just 12 seconds into the 68th minute.

Parsons set piece and PK goals were separated by just over two minutes and 30 seconds.

With her three-goal performance on Thursday, Parsons recorded the first Red Raider hat trick since Alex Kerr scored three goals against North Texas (Aug. 31) last season, and now has five goals in the Red Raiders five matches.

Entering the day, Parsons’ five goals on the season would have been tied for both the national and Big 12 lead.

With tonight’s 4-0 win, the Red Raiders have now outscored its three opponents 13-0 at John Walker this season, and have outscored opponents 43-3 at home since the start of the 2023 season.

That stretch includes six straight home regular season clean sheets dating back to the Aug. 31 match against UNT (6-1 W) a season ago.

Tonight’s victory is also the Red Raiders 15th straight home non-conference win and 15th straight home regular season victory, as the Red Raiders are now 16-1-1 in their last 18 home games (includes 2023 postseason).

HC TOM STONE:
“What Peyton [Parsons] did tonight is the baseball equivalent of hitting for the cycle. She scored on a penalty kick, a set piece and during the run of play. She was scoring in every imaginable way. The best part about the PK was it  really important for her, because she missed one in the opener [at Penn State] and that really bothered her. Sometimes we call out who takes the penalty, but when it happened with us up three goals, we decided to see who they would pick and Peyton was like give me the ball. She was hungry for a result tonight and played like it.”

On what improvements he’s looking for the offensive attack to make:
“We’re still too hasty with the ball at times. And when we want a pass to be on, and it’s not on, we still pass it. That’s maturity and experience. When you lose a Sam [Courtwright], she’s the one that makes a lot of those decisions, so now a lot of other people are in that same role and responsibility. They must up their game and make good decisions. If you turn the ball over too many times, which we did in the first half, the other team is coming after us. And we’re having to play more defense than we want to. It was a ball security issue. We were too loose with it in the first half. In the second half we were way tidier and kept possession way better. That was a big difference in the second half.”

On O’billovich’s performance:
“With Sidney, we’re thrilled for her because she’s battled hard to be ready and was ready when she was called upon. She was very calm and secure. Her kicking game was awesome, and she came off her line multiple times to put out the fire. So, it was solid performance for her and we’re celebrating her after the game.”

UP NEXT:
The Red Raiders continue a three-match homestand on Sunday afternoon when they welcome Oral Roberts. First touch from Walker is set for 1 p.m.

–TECH–

Release Provided By Andrew Stern Texas Tech Athletics