Following a 1-1 road trip to California that included a big win over Santa Clara followed by a loss to San Francisco on Sunday, Texas Tech soccer returns to Lubbock on Thursday night with a chance to sagainst SMU. Head coach Tom Stone made it clear this week that his team is ready to respond.
“The one thing they do care about is following up a poor performance with a good one,” said Texas Tech head coach Tom Stone about his team. “Sometimes that’s just grit, sometimes that’s attitude and mentality, and sometimes it’s tactical. They were pretty feisty on Tuesday, which let me know they’re going to be ready for Thursday.”
Kylie Bahr’s Fearlessness is MUST WATCH Soccer Right Now
Kylie Bahr, who according to her head coach, looks to be “back with a vengeance” after missing last season injured will undoubtedly help lead the charge on Thursday. Stone praised her fearlessness and presence on the field, saying she embodies the confidence this team needs. The red-shirt junior outside back will take on an opponent’s best attacker with zero fear every chance she is given to do so, then turn around and spring up the flank in attack herself. Fans saw just that on the California road trip, the Santa Clara game in particular.
“The whole fearless thing [Texas Tech Fearless Champions campaign], Kylie could have written that campaign,” Stone said. “She’s never been worried about who she plays against. She always walks into a game with confidence in her mind and in her heart to play her best. A lot of players draw confidence from her. It’s one of those ‘glad she’s on my team’ things. We coaches feel that way, too”.
Texas Tech Back Home In Lubbock At Ft. Walker
Ready for more Ft. Walker Magic
pic.twitter.com/apMbubD7L6
— Texas Tech Soccer (@TexasTechSoccer) August 26, 2025
Tech has started the season with three of their first four games on the road but will be back in Lubbock Thursday night versus SMU. With the students back in town Stone expects the atmosphere to give his team an extra boost.
“The crowd will be a factor,” Stone said. “We’re honored that [Raider Riot] is coming. We’re so glad they’re embracing our scene here. And I’m going to make sure we thank them properly after the game. Maybe have them out on the field for a picture with the team. Because when they show up, things get rowdy.”
A well-coached SMU team comes to town with plenty of familiar faces, including Red Raider senior Chloe Japic’s sister who plays for the Mustangs. Coach Stone said that while the two teams haven’t played in almost two decades despite being relatively close by Texas standards, this is a partnership the two programs plan to grow.
“It makes too much sense. So many of our players are from the Dallas, Fort Worth area,” said Stone. “It’s good for her [Coach Nicole Nelson] if they beat us in recruiting, good for us if we beat them in Dallas recruiting. It’s just got so much on the game, and we could both bus to each other if we wanted to. Agreat honor to play against Nicole. She’s done a lot of great things in the game.”
As to what he expects to see from his team on Thursday, it’s all about doing what they do.
“We don’t need to reinvent the wheel,” said Stone plainly. “We’ve got a good formula. Now it’s up to the coaches and the players to come ready”.
It’s also up to the fans to come ready. Fans should wear red for ‘Code Red’ night. First 250 fans get a Texas Tech stick on phone wallet. There will be a student raffle with multiple prizes along with a student tailgate pregame and postgame photos and autographs for all fans.
First touch at 7 pm at the John Walker Soccer Complex in Lubbock. BE THERE! Game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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