TCU W-Soccer Loses To Kansas
FORT WORTH – TCU battled back from a 2-0 deficit to force overtime with 13 seconds remaining in regulation, but Kansas rebounded to steal the victory with a goal four minutes into the second overtime for the 3-2 win. Lindsy Schafer and Serena Smith-Banas each tallied their first-career goals in the loss.
“Give credit to Kansas for finding a way to get a result. I am really, really proud of our group for the way we battled to come back from two goals down to equalize it and send the game to overtime,” said head coach Eric Bell. We had some chances to win the game. If a break goes our way to win the game, then we are happy, but I am happy with the way our team responded being down; fantastic character.”
After falling behind 2-0 in the match, the Horned Frogs used a late second-half surge to get the match knotted at two, forcing overtime.
The hard push started with 20 minutes to go in the match as the Frog offense worked the ball into deep into Kansas territory. TCU worked hard to earn a corner kick in the 77th minute and Bobbi Clemmer’s feed was right on target, but Kelly Johnson’s header sailed just wide of the goal.
TCU kept the pressure on and was rewarded in the 83rd minute as it cut the lead in half. Carly Bowen took the throw in and the Frogs worked the ball into the six yard box. Falling down, Monica Alvarado was able to get her foot on the ball and make a perfect feed to Schafer, who was there to tap in her first career goal.
“The first goal gave them a little bit of belief as opposed to Friday when we were unable to get another goal to tie the game. We gave ourselves a chance,” said Bell.
Seven minutes later, TCU tied the game with just 13 seconds to go. Another strong run down the line by Bowen helped the Frogs set up their offense. Kelly Johnson crossed the ball into the goal box and a wide-open Smith-Banas banged in the tying goal.
“The freshmen are coming of age, so to speak. Due to a certain circumstance, we were able to put Serena (Smith-Banas) into the game and she responded with her opportunity and did very well.”
In the first overtime, the Frogs and the Jayhawks traded shots, but it was Vittoria Arnold who was forced to make the lone save of the half on a point blank shot by Caroline Kastor.
Kastor wouldn’t miss again as she connected in the second overtime to win the game for Kansas. A deflected pass ricocheted into the TCU defensive zone and the Jayhawks created a 2-on-1. Whitney Berry fed the ball across to Kastor, who beat her defender and made a strong run before blasting the shot from 25 yards out and past a diving Arnold.
The Jayhawks opened the scoring in the first half on a goal by Jamie Fletcher in the 33rd minute. A tic-tac-toe passing play put the ball at the feet of Fletcher and she used the traffic as a screen to score the first goal of the match.
In the second, Kansas wasted no time pushing the lead to two. Off the opening kick, Kansas carried the ball deep into its offensive zone. Courtney Dickerson fed the ball into the six yard box and Ashley Williams was there to score the goal just 17 seconds into the half.
TCU falls to 5-6-1 overall and 0-2-0 in Big 12 play. The Frogs hit the road for a three-match road swing beginning Friday night at Iowa State. Match time against the Cyclones is set for 7 p.m.
