<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4CZzhl_0uzhhdBL00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4CZzhl_0uzhhdBL00" width="1763" height="1176" ><figcaption>Ashleigh Williams eyes the ball during a practice at the John Walker Soccer Complex Aug. 5, 2024. Jacob Lujan</figcaption></figure>No. 8 Texas Tech soccer surrendered four first-half goals in its 4-0 season-opening defeat against No. 4 Penn State at Jeffrey Field in University Park, Pennsylvania, on Thursday night.Penn State midfielder Jordan Fusco opened the match for the Nittany Lions with a left-footed goal six minutes into play.Fusco’s early score began a snowball effect of positive plays for Penn State. The full-field effort by the Nittany Lions led to Tech’s largest margin of defeat since Sept. 2, 2016, when No. 19 University of California produced a 4-0 outing in Lubbock, according to Tech Athletics.Tech goalkeeper and first-year Red Raider Faith Nguyen allowed three additional first-half goals before going on a four-save streak to end the match. Nguyen earned the starting goalkeeper role after a clean sheet outing in the Red Raiders’ exhibition match last Thursday.While the Red Raiders produced a zero on the score sheet, forward Peyton Parsons managed four shots including a shot on goal in her first start since 2022, according to Tech Athletics.Tech played its season-opener without 2023 Big 12 Freshman of the Year Sam Courtwright. The former All-American suffered a season-ending knee injury in the team's training sessions leading up to the game, according to Tech Athletics.The Red Raiders will look to regroup quickly as they return to Lubbock for their home opener at 7 p.m. on Sunday against California State University, Northridge.</div></body>

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Tech soccer ripped by four-goal first half

No. 8 Texas Tech soccer surrendered four first-half goals in its 4-0 season-opening defeat against No. 4 Penn State at Jeffrey Field in University Park, Pennsylvania, on Thursday night. Penn State midfielder Jordan Fusco opened the match for the Nittany Lions with a left-footed goal six minutes into play. Fusco’s...