July 16, 2008
Game No. 1 Preview: Stephen F. Austin
With the first match of the 2008 season only a month away, GoFrogs.com gives readers an inside look into TCU's second opponent, Xavier.
All-Time Series
The Horned Frogs and Musketeers have never faced each other before this fall. In fact, TCU has only faced three other Atlantic 10 Conference opponents in the history of its program. TCU is 1-2-0 against A10 opponents and its last win came against UMASS in 1999.
Scouting Xavier
Xavier went 4-14-1 overall and 3-7-1 in conference action. The Musketeers are coached by Alvin Alexander who is in his fourth year as head coach in Cincinnati. Over the spring, XU compiled a 2-2-3 record, including a 2-1 loss to perennial national power Notre Dame on April 27. Alexander was Notre Dame's top assistant when the Fighting Irish won the National Championship in 2004. He is no stranger to the state of Texas as he was the men's soccer coach at the University of Texas at Permian Basin for two years, while also overseeing the North Texas and Midland Olympic Development Programs. The Musketeers return most of their scoring punch as both Melissa Zimmerman and Brittany Green are back this fall.
Scouting TCU
TCU returns 10 of 11 starters from team that posted the most overall wins during Abdalla's four-years in Fort Worth. The Purple and White will rely heavily on returning all-conference performer Lizzy Karoly and sophomore Jackie Torda, who led TCU in goals scored last fall with nine, to carry the frontline during most of the season.
With the departure of senior leader Angie Nickens in the midfield, TCU will count on returning starters Chelsea Cody, Michelle Nguyen and Nikki Wilbur during the early portion of the season. Look for redshirt freshman Kaylie Garcia to make her presence felt early and often this season as she was a Top 150 recruit coming out of high school.
The defense from 2007 returns intact with seniors Sara Schneider and Caroline Starns providing leadership from the backline. Sophomore Cheryl Martin also returns, following a solid freshman campaign in which she started 18 matches. Returning goalkeeper Kelsey Walters is back as well and will look to continue her domination in net after picking up several weekly honors following a shutout of nationally ranked Utah to closeout the season last fall.
