TCU Soccer Recap & Preview: Defenders & Goalkeepers

The Horned Frogs placed two defenders on the All-Big 12 squad while GK Lauren Kellett finished her final collegiate season with eight shutouts in 2023

In the final entry of our TCU Soccer recap of the 2023 season and look ahead to the fast-approaching 2024 campaign, we take a look at the Horned Frogs back line of defenders and goalkeepers.

The TCU defense is anchored by Grace Coppinger, returning for her third season with the Horned Frogs in 2024. After earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 2022, the Kansas City native had another standout season in 2023, starting 18 games and playing all 90 minutes in 15 of them, earning Second Team All-Big 12 honors. Joining Coppinger on the TCU backline and on the All-Big 12 Second Team in 2023 was senior Olivia Hasler who started all 19 games on the year and contributed three assists. Along with Hasler’s graduation, the Horned Frogs will enter 2024 without defensive contributors Brenna Brosam, Remini TIllotson (transfer to Michigan State), and Jacqueline Barnes (transfer to North Texas) who combined for two assists across 1,800 minutes played in 2023. TCU does bring back junior Sarah Melcher – who scored two goals as a freshman before missing 2023 with an injury, senior Maddie Mooney – who scored a goal in ten starts, and sophomore Bella Diorio – who logged four assists in under 550 minutes of game time last season. Coach Eric Bell and staff have continued to find star defenders on the recruiting trail as TCU adds four true freshmen for 2024: Evie Baker, Blake Hodgson, Rylie Monahan, and Jordan Whiteaker.

Behind that defense for the past three seasons stood the brick wall Lauren Kellett, starting 66 straight games, allowing only 52 total goals with a saver percentage over 80% and a program-best 28 total shutouts. Kellett was the First Team All Big-12 goal keeper in ‘21 & ‘22 before TCU’s down season in 2023 – a season in which Kellett still collected eight shutouts. With Kellett now set to begin her professional career with the Tampa Bay Sun FC of the USL Super League, the Horned Frogs will begin a new era in front of the net. TCU brought in a a pair of veteran transfer to fill the role in 2024, Minnesota’s Megan Plaschko and Alabama’s Hannah Alexander, as well as two true freshman in Olivia Geller of Southlake and Sadie Gardner from Lake Oswego, Oregon. Plaschko played in goal 48 games for the Golden Gophers, with a career 72.7% save percentage and 26 career shutouts.

TCU begins its challenging non-conference slate hosting the Alabama Crimson Tide in Garvey-Rosenthal Stadium on Thursday August 15 at 7:00 PM and opens Big 12 play on September 12 vs. reigning regular season champion Texas Tech.