ICYMI: TCU Soccer opens spring season with a win

After home matches vs both Baylor and Texas State were cancelled due to COVID-19 protocols, No. 4 TCU Soccer played for the first time since Nov. 6 in a 2-0 victory over Oklahoma on March 20.

The Horned Frogs are now one of only five unbeaten teams in the country to play at least five games with a perfect 9-0-1 record.

TCU dominated the Sooners for the entirety of the game putting up an astounding 23 shots and 5 shots on goal. Junior forward Messiah Bright opened the scoring for the Frogs by finishing a one-on-one with Oklahoma keeper Leah Radow stemming from a beautiful feed by Yazmeen Ryan.

Bright’s finish gave Ryan 18 career assists in a Horned Frog uniform, enough for second in program history behind only Allison Calleri (1996-99).

Less than 60 seconds later (literally), the Horned Frogs tallied another goal with Ryan on the scoring end this time. The future Portland Thorns midfielder snuck a rocket past the keeper from just outside the 6-yard box, assisted by Gracie Brian.

Bright and Ryan’s goals vs Oklahoma were the 20th of their respective careers as a Horned Frog.

A dominant offensive performance such as the one we witnessed last weekend isn’t uncommon for this team, but at this point it feels like clean sheet shutouts are to be expected from this back line. They are ridiculously good.

The 2-0 final score gives the Frogs their eighth shutout of the season, meaning they hold opponents to zero goals 80% of the time. I’ll take those odds any day of the week.

TCU allowed only four shots throughout the game with a whopping zero on target, holding the Sooners to only two corner kicks all game. Sounds about right.

The back line made the goalkeeper’s job easy as neither keeper was forced to make a save all game. Emily Alvarado was subbed off at halftime to allow for Lauren Kellett to make her collegiate debut. Even though she was never in deep water throughout the 2nd half, I’m counting that as a clean sheet debut for the freshmen out of Coppell High School.

Earlier this week, midfielder Yazmeen Ryan and defender Brandi Peterson were honored by the conference for their performances against Oklahoma.

Ryan was awarded her first Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week accolade of the season while Peterson earned her third Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week nod of the 2020-21 campaign.

The Horned Frogs are on a bye this weekend, but they’ll be back in action Saturday, April 5 at Garvey-Rosenthal Stadium to take on No. 14 Oklahoma State. Last time these teams met in Stillwater earlier this season, TCU handed the Pokes their second loss of the season after a 2-1 overtime thriller.