TCU W-Soccer Falls In MWC Championships
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FORT WORTH, Texas – Freshman Natalie Werner netted a goal in the 31st minute of the match, but it wasn’t enough as TCU dropped a 2-1 double-overtime decision to Wyoming Wednesday in quarterfinals action at the Mountain West Soccer Championships.
“I was proud of the effort our team put in today, leaving every ounce of energy they had out there on the field,” TCU head coach Dan Abdalla said. “I thought we battled and created chances, but the ball just didn’t bounce the right way for us. We competed hard for the whole match and I’m proud of our effort.”
In a back and fourth match early on, the Horned Frogs pressured the Cowgirls’ defense early. Senior forward Jordan Calhoun collected the first two shots of the match with one attempt missing wide and the other saved by the goalkeeper.
Junior Shelby Campbell also got into the action, unloading a strike from the top of the box, but to have it collected as a save. Redshirt freshman Brooke Kviz rattled off her lone shot of the match from the right wing at the 21:00 mark, missing wide.
After UW took the early 1-0, it didn’t take long for TCU to answer. On a poor clearance by the Wyoming defense, Werner found the ball at her feet and the back of the net from 15 yards out. The score was the second of the season for the newcomer from Lake Forest, Calif., and came at the 30:43 mark.
Minutes after Werner pulled the match to a 1-1 draw, it seemed as if the Frogs’ wouldn’t waste much time to jump ahead. Newcomer Tori Hale and Calhoun each deposited shots toward the Cowgirls’ goal near the end of the first frame, but got nothing in return. The Purple and White won the shooting battle in the opening period, outshooting UW, 8-3.
Both squads began to settle into a rhythm in the second half. Freshman Alicen Wright put her talents on display with four of five saves coming in the second period. The Chino Hills, Calif., product made a beautiful diving stop on a one-on-one situation in the 81st minute. TCU’s defense also blocked away a pair of shot attempts before the ball could reach Wright.
At the end of regulation, TCU tightened up its play, regaining the shooting advantage in the first overtime period. Senior Kristen Halverson had a chance to put the game away with a strike inside the box, but Wyoming’s goalkeeper was up to the task. With nearly 20 seconds remaining in the first extra frame, Werner lined up a blast from the top of the box that was also saved.
After the ball went out of bounds in TCU territory, Wyoming earned a breakaway into the box on a throw in and Liz O’Reilly rolled the winning score past Wright at the 101:14 mark.
Overall, TCU was led on offense by Calhoun and Werner, recording four shots and three shots, respectively. Wright ended the evening with five saves. Four players never left the field of play for the Frogs, as Calhoun, Wright, Ashley Jones and Monica Alvarado logged 101 minutes for the day.
