The TCU Horned Frogs secured their spot in the second round of the NCAA Tournament after a hard-fought 1-0 victory against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks on Friday night at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium. 

The match was a display of TCU’s dominance in possession and offensive pressure, coupled with a resilient defensive effort that stifled SFA throughout the 90 minutes.

First half: Offensive pressure without reward

The opening minutes of the match set the tone for an intense battle. TCU racked up corner kicks and shot attempts early. Within the first 15 minutes, the Frogs had two corners and four shots on goal, all thwarted by SFA goalkeeper Sierra McCluer.

SFA struggled to gain traction, recording only one corner to TCU’s six in the first half. Despite their limited opportunities, the Lumberjacks remained organized defensively, forcing TCU to work hard for scoring chances. Tensions ran high, as evidenced by a flurry of fouls—three by TCU and two by SFA within the first 20 minutes.

The Horned Frogs nearly broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when forward Seven Castain was awarded a penalty kick after an SFA handball in the box. Castain’s effort was denied by a dramatic save from McCluer, who kept her team in the game. Moments later, TCU’s Caroline Kelly fired a powerful shot, but McCluer once again made an acrobatic stop to maintain the 0-0 scoreline.

By halftime, TCU had tallied an impressive 13 shot attempts, including eight shots on goal, while holding SFA to zero attempts. Castain led the offensive charge with three shots on goal, followed closely by Kelly with two. However, the Frogs’ inability to convert their chances left the match scoreless as both teams headed to the locker room.

Second half: Breaking through the defense

The Frogs wasted no time asserting their dominance in the second half. In the 57th minute, SFA’s Erin Morgan received a yellow card for a foul inside the box, gifting TCU another penalty opportunity. 

This time, Caroline Kelly stepped up to the spot and delivered, confidently slotting the ball past McCluer to give the Frogs a 1-0 lead. The goal marked Kelly’s 13th of the season and provided the breakthrough TCU desperately needed.

Following the goal, TCU continued to control the pace of the game, dominating possession and limiting SFA’s offensive opportunities. 

Closing the Game

As the clock wound down, the Horned Frogs maintained their composure, strategically managing possession and preventing any significant threats from the Lumberjacks.

To close the game, TCU numbered 20 shot attempts to SFA’s two. The Lumberjacks’ goalie McCluer had her work cut out for her all night, recording 10 saves through the 90 minutes.

The final whistle cemented TCU’s victory and advancement to the next round of the NCAA Tournament.

Looking Ahead

The Horned Frogs’ victory highlighted their ability to create scoring opportunities and maintain defensive discipline under pressure. However, converting chances will be a focus for head coach Eric Bell as the team prepares for their next matchup. 

TCU will face a tougher challenge in the second round as they look to continue their NCAA Tournament journey. With momentum on their side and standout players like Caroline Kelly and Seven Castain leading the charge, the Horned Frogs are poised to make a deep run in the tournament.