Texas Tech Soccer Up To #18, Two-Time Natty Champs Ahead

Texas Tech (2-0) made the biggest jump of any team in NCAA D1 Women’s Soccer this week when they moved up to No. 18 from their preseason No. 25 mark in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. Tech heads back on the road for two games in California versus two-time National Champion Santa Clara on Thursday […]

Texas Tech (2-0) made the biggest jump of any team in NCAA D1 Women’s Soccer this week when they moved up to No. 18 from their preseason No. 25 mark in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. Tech heads back on the road for two games in California versus two-time National Champion Santa Clara on Thursday and San Francisco on Sunday.

Santa Clara was previously No. 16 before losing to then No. 7 Stanford (now No. 2) on Sunday and falling just outside the Top 25 but are still receiving votes.

“Probably not a great time to be playing Jerry Smith [Santa Clara head coach] who is probably irritated by their performance,” said Texas Tech coach Tom Stone. “It’s a great game to get. We are thrilled to play a team of this historical significance.”

Best Start Since 2018 for Texas Tech?

Believe it or not this stat is true as Texas Tech has not started a season 2-0 since the 2018 year. Even the team’s magical undefeated 2023 season started with a 1-1 draw on the road at New Mexico before they regrouped to go on a tear the rest of the year.

“It’s early so we aren’t acting like we have arrived but for sure we are happy with the start especially offensively,” said Coach Stone. “We know we have a great goal keeper and great defenders but there’s some new faces there that are still melding and they are working on that. Now one is taking their foot off the gas.”

It’s an offense that leads the Big 12 conference in both goals (8) and assists (12) after the first two matches of the year. A small sample size certainly but impressive amongst that is five different goal scorers and 10 players in total have contributed at least one goal or assist already this season.

Homecoming Game For Texas Tech Senior Chloe Japić

The sixth-year senior transfer from Virginia is a Palo Alto, California native and will be playing on Thursday less than a half hour from her home city. Add another half hour to that drive for their San Francisco game on Sunday and it’s shaping up to be a nice homecoming trip for a new, but very important, piece to the Red Raider lineup.

Chloe Japić | Photo by Shelby Hilliard, Red Raider Sports

Coach Stone noted they will stop by the Japić house on Wednesday night for a team dinner before the first game of the road trip gets underway on Thursday night in Santa Clara.

Who are the Santa Clara Broncos?

Santa Clara is led by head coach Jerry Smith who is in his 39th season at the helm in 2025. He has helped the Broncos to 34 NCAA tournament appearances, including 12 College Cups and two national titles in 2001 and 2020. Smith is one of only three D1 coaches in history to reach the 500 win mark.

They are coming off a 2024 campaign where they finished with a 13-4-4 mark overall and a 6-1-3 record in the West Coast Conference action. Santa Clara beat BYU 1-0 on the road in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The victory made them one of just three programs, along with Florida State and Penn State to have won at least one match in each of the last 10 NCAA Tournaments.

Santa Clara celebrates the 2020 NCAA Women’s Soccer D1 National Championship

How To Watch Texas Tech vs Santa Clara and San Francisco

Texas Tech takes on Santa Clara Thursday night in Santa Clara, California at 7:30 pm PT / 9:30 pm CT on ESPN+. The Red Raiders will then make the short trek up to San Francisco for their match with the Dons on Sunday at 11 am PT / 1 pm CT also on ESPN +

Find a full recap of Texas Tech week one games plus preview of Santa Clara and San Francisco here.


Join the conversation with other Red Raiders on the Inside The Double T forum.

Subscribe today to get the most in-depth Texas Tech sports and recruiting coverage.

Follow us on X: @RedRaiderSports

Like and follow us on Instagram @rrs_rivals & like us on Facebook.

Category: General Sports