TCU Soccer stays perfect with win over Ohio State

TCU Soccer capped off a three-game road trip with a 4-1 win over a good Ohio State team, moving to a perfect 7-0 on the season.

Although the final score doesn’t look the part, the Buckeyes played a tough game. Both teams were scoreless in the first half and it wasn’t until the final 25 minutes of the game that any goals would be scored.

The first 45 was a back and forth battle, but nothing ever broke through. Only nine shots were taken in the first half compared to 20 in the second, but the Buckeyes achieved the rare feat of outshooting the Frogs 6-3 in the first and 17-12.

Shots are all fine and dandy, but what really matters is the shots on goal, which TCU controlled 8-7.

Both team’s back lines shined for the majority of the game until eventually Lauren Memoly would open up the scoring for the Frogs. The opening goal was scored off a deflection, with the freshmen forward finding herself in the right place at the right time.

Camryn Lancaster sent in a quality cross which was followed up by Skylar Heinrich, but eventually deflected off the keeper right towards Memoly for the finish.

Memoly’s 66th minute goal would be the beginning of an overall offensive onslaught. Three goals would be scored in the next five minutes of game time as Memoly would find the back of the net AGAIN just three minutes later.

This time the goal came from a well-played ball into the middle by Camryn Lancaster, who finished with a pair of assists for the second time of her career.

As I continue to cover TCU Soccer games and write these recaps, I’m beginning to notice some trends. One, this team’s depth is unmatched. Other than a near-hiccup against Alabama, the Frogs have made a habit of slowly but surely wearing down their opponents to stretch the field and create space.

“They [Ohio State] made it hard for us, but I could tell they started fatiguing at the end of the half. That allowed us to create more gaps and spaces. We were able to exploit the back line. We are talented and created chances that we were then able to finish,” said Head Coach Eric Bell.

It seems like no matter who is on the field, there is never a noticeable drop off in quality. Each player brings a unique skillet that keeps opposing defenses on their toes.

Two, these freshmen are legit. It seems like at least half the Horned Frogs goals have freshmen either on the assisting or scoring end of the play. The fact that this is only year one with this group blows my mind.

“We knew this was going to be a good group top to bottom. I’m happy that they have been able to impact the team the way that they have,” said Bell on this year’s recruiting class. “The sky’s the limit for them. They are playing major minutes and contributing. Very happy for them. It wasn’t necessarily expected, but they have taken advantage of their opportunities.”

Aside from the freshmen to freshmen connections, veteran forward Messiah Bright also scored a brace against the Buckeyes. This was Bright’s fourth multi-goal game of her career, and she is now tied for 2nd in all-time goals at TCU with Lizzy Karoly (2006-2009) and Michelle Prokof (2013-2016).

Similar to Memoly’s brace, both of Bright’s goals came within a five minute period, scoring in the 84th and 87th minute to ice the game for the Frogs.

Aside from a four goal performance offensively, Lauren Kellett also shined in this one making a career high six saves to stop the Buckeyes late-game efforts. The sophomore keeper ranks 8th in the nation with an impressive 0.199 goals against average.

Of course filling the shoes of TCU Soccer legend Emily Alvarado is a tough task for anyone, but Kellett has cemented herself early on as one of the best keepers in the country. In other words - the Frogs are in good hands.

After finishing a perfect 3-0 on a difficult road trip, the Horned Frogs head home for another top-15 matchup at Garvey-Rosenthal stadium.

This Thursday at 7 pm CST, No. 6 TCU Soccer takes on No. 13 Pepperdine in what could shape out to be an NCAA tournament-like game.