Soccer: TCU thrashes No. 20 Alabama 3-0 in season opener

The Horned Frogs open the 2024 season with a dominant shutout win over the ranked Crimson Tide

The 2024 athletic calendar officially opened on Thursday night in Fort Worth with TCU Soccer opening the season in front of a packed house at Garvey-Rosenthal Stadium vs. No. 20 Alabama Crimson Tide. Eric Bell opened his 13th season as Head Coach of the Horned Frogs with a big time result after missing the NCAA Tournament in 2023 following seven straight postseason trips. The Horned Frogs were back to elite finishing form, lockdown defending, and brick wall goalkeeping to bring home the 3-0 victory.

The temperature at kickoff was over 100 degrees, but it was Horned Frog offense that was on fire in the first half. TCU was creating chances early and often, peppering Tide GK Coralie Lallier with shots on goal all night, which she was heroically turning away until Caroline Kelly slipped one through her legs for a deflection into the net, giving the Saint Louis transfer her first score for the Frogs.

It was Rutgers transfer Sara Brocious credited with the assist on that first goal and she’d be the facilitator for the second just a few minutes later. Senior Oli Pena hit the midfielder with a pass and quickly found space in a sprint into the box for a perfectly executed give-and-go with a driven finisher beyond the outstretched arms of the Alabama keeper, giving the Frogs a 2-0 lead into halftime.

Among the newcomers for the Horned Frogs this season, perhaps most critical to TCU’s success this season is goalkeeper Megan Plaschko. The Minnesota grad transfer earned the start for the season opener and delivered the shutout victory for TCU, making four saves as the Alabama had no luck getting it past her while the defensive back line helped maintain the clean sheet. Frustration began to set in for the 2022 College Cup Final Four squad, as attempts to take TCU off the ball frequently turned into fouls, with Alabama called for 20 on the night.

TCU would put the exclamation point on the night with a second half strike from leading returning scorer Seven Castain who took a perfectly placed pass from Oli Pena on the run, put on the brakes to send the defender flying, and sent a sure strike into the back of the net to bring the Horned Frogs the 3-0 final tally.

Alabama will continue its tour of the region with a trip up to Denton on Saturday night to take on the Mean Green of North Texas. TCU will take its first road trip of the season on Sunday to play the Charlotte 49ers. Both contests will be broadcast on ESPN+.