Frogs Battle at MWC Championships

Wow....what a week here at the Mountain West Conference Championships. For the second time in a five days we took the field against San Diego State. The game was intense and full of energy as both teams were fighting for a spot in the semi-finals. The game was fast, exciting and very physical. We took a lead about 30 minutes in off a fantastic goal where Jackie Torda dribbled into the box finding Lizzy Karoly who one touched the ball to a cutting Jordan Calhoun who tucked the ball into the far post. It was one of the best goals of the year. San Diego State wouldn't back off and early in the second half they crossed a ball from the left flank and somehow it found the far post of the goal to tie the game. Although we were able to control the game and maintain constant pressure on the San Diego State goal, we were unable to get a second goal and the game went into overtime. In the overtime we kept up the pressure and were rewarded with about a minute and a half left in the first overtime. Kaylie Garcia sent a cornerkick into the box where Katie Taylor out jumped three San Diego St defenders to get a head on the ball which the Aztecs were able to clear off the line but in the ensuing scramble Jackie Torda was able to get a foot on the ball to win the game and move us on to the semi-finals. It was definitely an exciting ending.

The next day we took the field against Utah who had a bye into the semi-finals and didn't have to play on Wednesday. The Frogs took the challenge and played a very entertaining, exciting and hard fought game. We thought we went up midway through the first half as a Jordan Calhoun shot was saved by the Utah goalkeeper and Lizzy Karoly jumped on the rebound and knocked it into the goal. But the goal was called back as Lizzy was called offside by the referees. With the game still 0-0, Utah was awarded a penalty kick about 15 minutes into the second half. They converted and went up 1-0. But the Frogs wouldn't stop fighting. We had three fantastic opportunities as we continued to apply pressure on the Utah goal as Lizzy's breakaway went wide and two shots off headers went over the bar. With about a minute and a half left Katie Taylor flicked a ball through to Lizzy who drilled the ball past the Utah keeper to knot the game up. We headed into overtime looking for the win. Early in the overtime a Utah player crossed a ball that deflected off on of our defenders and past our goalkeeper to end the game. It was a disappointing way to end the game that is for sure.

The loss brought an end to our regular season with a 14-4-2 record. The best ever in the history of TCU Soccer. Now we await the NCAA Tournament selection to see if we will continue our season.