Soccer: TCU picks up another pair of shutout victories, defeating CMU & SMU

Horned Frogs improve to 4-1 on the season by blanking the Chippewas and Mustangs

TCU Soccer fell out of the rankings after its rough road loss at Notre Dame, but bounced back with a fury, delivering two shutout victories with a home win over Central Michigan and a late night road victory at SMU. Bella Diorio was the star of the week, contributing three goals across the two games, including the brilliant game winning free kick strike vs. SMU. TCU improved to 4-1 on the season with zero goals conceded in the four wins.

TCU 3 – Central Michigan 0

On Thursday night, the Horned Frogs returned to Garvey-Rosenthal stadium to take on the Chippewas and didn’t waste any time getting back into its winning ways. In the opening minute of the contest, Bella Diorio found herself in a one-v-one with the CMU keeper following a pass from Seven Castain and cashed the opportunity into the net. At the 30 minute mark, Oli Pena delivered an ideal low cross into the box from the right wing, connecting with Seven Castain right in front of net and the junior forward finished to secure a 2-0 lead into halftime. Diorio would record her first career brace a few minutes into the second half as a scramble for a loose ball in the box after a Caroline Kelly breakaway had a trailing Diorio in perfect position to bury the shot. The match was one-sided throughout as CMU only forced one Olivia Geller save in the clean sheet and TCU out shooting the Chips 21-2 on the night.

TCU 1 – SMU 0

In the early hours of Labor Day Monday morning, the Horned Frogs fought the elements in Dallas as well as the Mustangs to eventually bring another shutout win back to Fort Worth. The game was originally scheduled for a 9 PM kick off, but due to lightning delays the game did not get rolling until after midnight. TCU appeared to tally the first goal of the contest about 10 minutes in, but an offsides call on video review overturns the score. TCU GK Megan Plaschko kept the game level with a pair of big saves while the Horned Frogs again dominated possession, attempting 20 shots, earning nine corner kicks, and receiving 15 SMU fouls. One of those fouls in the 66th minute gave the Horned Frogs a set piece opportunity just outside the box. Bella Diorio stepped up to the ball and delivered a beauty of a bending floating strike around the Mustang wall that SMU keeper could simply admire as it curved into the corner of the goal. A perfect shot to cap an incredible week for the sophomore defender.

TCU will return to the road on Thursday night to take on Texas A&M in College Station on SEC Network+