Soccer: TCU secures 1-0 victory over SFA in NCAA Tournament First Round

Caroline Kelly’s second half penalty kick pushes the Horned Frogs into Round 2

After a one year absence from the postseason field, the TCU Horned Frogs hosted Stephen F. Austin at Garvey Rosenthal Stadium on Friday night in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. TCU controlled possession, dominated the stat sheet and remained on attack for the duration, but the Lumberjacks made life difficult for the Frogs with a dazzling performance from goalkeeper Sierra McCluer. The Big 12’s top scoring squad finally broke through in the second half with a Caroline Kelly penalty kick, which would prove to be the game winner.

The Horned Frogs absolutely dominated play in the first half, owning possession in the attacking zone for most of the period as TCU did not allow a single Lumberjacks shot attempt though the opening 45 minutes. Not only no shots on goal, but not even a single threatening look, zero shot attempts. The Frogs meanwhile were firing shots on goal from dangerous positions. Caroline Kelly had a perfectly placed header while Cam Lancaster, Oli Pena, and Seven Castain each sent shots on frame during the first half that would typically found the back of the net if not for the heroics of McCluer in front of goal. In the 29th minute a Lancaster cross was destined for Kelly in the box, but the SFA defender shoved Kelly down and the official pointed to the spot awarding TCU the penalty kick. Castain stepped up to the ball, firing on target, but McCluer made the strong save, redirecting the shot to a charging Kelly who put another direct strike on target that was turned away by the SFA goalkeeper. The true freshman goalie from Katy, TX was an impenetrable shield in keeping the game scoreless through the first half, making eight saves before the break.

The contest was a bit more evenly played in the second half as the Lumberjacks started pushing play forward and contained TCU scoring opportunities, with the Frogs only able to manage three total shots on target. The Frogs earned a second attempt from the penalty spot 11 minutes into the second half as AJ Hennessey was walloped by a reckless SFA challenge from behind in the box when working to receive a Bella Diorio throw-in. This time it was Kelly attempting the penalty shot, confidently sending McCluer the wrong way and slotting the shot low left for the go-ahead goal.

The Lumberjacks became even more attack-minded after conceding, trying any way to find the equalizer. However TCU’s terrific defending cleared the most threatening opportunities while keeper Megan Plaschko saved the only SFA shot on goal of the night.

TCU improved to 17-3-2 on the season and will next face the winner of Saturday’s 4-seed Penn State vs. Stony Brook match in the NCAA Tournament Second Round. TCU played at PSU during the 2023 regular season, falling 1-0 as the Nittany Lions would go on to reach the NCAA Quarterfinals last season.