Sept. 6, 2007
FORT WORTH, Texas - The TCU soccer program will continue its regular season slate this Friday against Rice at the Rice Track/Soccer Stadium. Start time is set for 7 p.m.
Rice comes into its season home opener with an undefeated record. TCU is looking to snap a two-match loosing streak against the Owls.
Scouting TCU
TCU (1-1-0) opened its home season this past Sunday with a 3-1 victory over Utah State at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium. In that match, three different players posted their first goals of the season.
The Horned Frogs opened the 2007 season against No. 7 Texas in Austin. TCU was upended by the Longhorns, 3-1. During the match, freshman Jenna Hayes posted her first career goal off an assist from Jackie Torda.
Scouting Rice
Rice (1-0-1) opened its season with a 2-2 draw against McNeese State. The Owls followed that with a shut out victory over Dartmouth on Sept. 2 in College Station.
Overall, Rice has five starters back from its 2006 squad that finished with an 11-6-1 record last fall. Leading the way for the Conference USA squad is senior Samantha Conn, who netted a goal against Dartmouth, and forward Clory Martin.
Last Time Out (Horned Frogs drop match to Texas)
Jenna Hayes netted a goal off an assist from Jackie Torda with three minutes remaining in the contest, but it wasn't enough as TCU dropped a 3-1 season opening match to No. 9 Texas last Friday night at Mike A. Myers stadium.
In the first half, sophomore Lizzy Karoly looked to put the Horned Frogs on the board early, but saw her shot blocked by the Longhorn defense. Three minutes later, Karoly missed another opportunity as she watched her shot sail high.
Longhorn forward Kasey Moore put Texas on the board 26 minutes into the contest, beating sophomore Kelsey Vross from 10 yards out. Chelsea Cody, an Oklahoma City, Okla., native, tried to answer right back, but was unable to find the back of the net.
Following a 1 hour, 40 minute, lightening delay, Texas' Kelsey Carpenter netted a goal with 6 seconds remaining before halftime to make the contest 2-0 at the half.
After the half, Michelle Nguyen, a sophomore from Richardson, connected on a ball from outside the box, but couldn't put TCU on the board.
Last Time Out (Horned Frogs down Utah State, 3-1)
TCU netted two goals in the first half, including one by Michelle Nguyen on a penalty kick to upend Utah State, 3-1, this past Sunday afternoon at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium.
TCU (1-1-0) was able to control the tempo of the game for most of the match with constant pressure on the Aggie defense in the first half and a solid defensive effort after halftime. The Horned Frogs outshot Utah State (1-1-0) in the first half, 10-6, tallying three shots on goal. TCU's defense posted a shutout in the second half.
Following a Utah State goal by Dana Pearl, TCU's Nguyen put the Horned Frogs on the board off a penalty kick 10 minutes into the match. A minute later, freshman Cheryl Martin looked to break the tie, but saw her shot sail high.
Lizzy Karoly, a sophomore from Escondido, Calif., broke the tie midway through the first half off an assist from Lizzie Batten. Karoly beat Aggie goalkeeper Ali Griffen from inside the box to notch her first goal of the year and seventh of her career.
In the second half, TCU was able to add an insurance goal as freshman Jackie Torda recorded her first goal of her career off assists from Anna Paulson and Chelsea Cody.
On defense, Kelsey Vross and Kelsey Walters split time in goal and had a solid afternoon. Vross posted two saves in 45 minutes of action, while Walters recorded the shutout and stopped five shots in the second half.
Overall, Utah State outshot TCU for the match, 17-14. Nguyen led the Horned Frog offense with four shots, including two shots on goal.
The Series
This Friday's match against Rice will mark the sixth meeting between to the Texas schools. The series is knotted up at 2-2-1.
Rice has won the last two meetings, including a 1-0 victory over TCU last fall. The last match played in Houston ended in a 3-3 double overtime draw in 2002.
Follow The Horned Frogs
Fans not able to attend this weekend's away match against Rice can follow the game live by logging onto www.gofrogs.com. There you can find a link to gametracker on the schedule page. All regular season home contests will be broadcast live via webstreaming on gofrogs.com.
Upcoming Promotions
Next Tuesday's soccer match against UT-San Antonio will mark TCU student day at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium.
Also on Tuesday, the first 50 fans in attendance will receive a TCU car flag.
Freshmen Making Impact
Overall, TCU has had two different freshmen net goals during the early portion of the 2007 schedule. Jenna Hayes scored against No. 7 Texas, while Jackie Torda punched one in against Utah State. Torda also chipped in with an assist on Hayes' goal.
On the season, five different freshmen have started for the Horned Frogs.
Nguyen Records A First Since 2005
Sophomore Michelle Nguyen posted TCU's first home goal of the season this past weekend against Utah State by connecting on a penalty kick. The penalty kick was the first successful PK taken since Moran Lavi connected on one in a 1-0 victory over Northwestern State in 2005.
The Horned Frogs only had one penalty kick attempt all last season.
Not Leaving The State
TCU will not leave the state of Texas until its Sept. 23 match against Missouri. Overall, TCU will play 13 matches in the lonestar state and five of the next six. This Friday's match against Rice will mark the third straight game played in the state of Texas.
TCU Holding Strong in Mountain West
So far during the 2007 season, both goalkeeper Kelsey Vross and forward Lizzy Karoly are either first or second in the MWC standings for saves and shots taken in a match, respectively.
As a team, TCU has posted MWC match highs in points, goals, assists and saves.
Game Time Change
TCU's Oct. 3 contest against Prairie View A&M has been moved to 11:30 a.m. at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium.
The match against the Panthers will mark Fort Worth Independent School District day. Free admission will be given out to all participating schools.
Next Opponent
TCU will come back home to face UT-San Antonio on Tuesday Sept. 11 at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium. The game is set for 7 p.m. and will mark TCU student night.
