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COLLEGE CUP BOUND! [2] TCU Sinks [1] Vanderbilt, 2-1 - TCU Athletics
For the first time in school history the TCU women's soccer team is headed to the NCAA Women's College Cup as the No. 2 seed Frogs took down top-seeded Vande...
COLLEGE CUP BOUND! [2] TCU Sinks [1] Vanderbilt, 2-1
Horned Frogs capture monumental win to reach uncharted territoryBox Score
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For the first time in school history the TCU women's soccer team is headed to the NCAA College Cup as the No. 2 seed Frogs took down top-seeded Vanderbilt, 2-1, on Saturday night at Vanderbilt Soccer Complex.
THE RUNDOWN
TCU (18-2-3, 9-1-1 Big 12) started things off with its back against the wall during a rain-filled first half of action. Vanderbilt totaled an 18-2 shot advantage throughout the first 45 minutes of play. Only a few minutes into the match would we see the Commodores' first chance. Olivia Geller had one of the highlight saves of her career after a Vanderbilt attacker crossed a ball in and another put a shot on goal. The sophomore jumped and was able to get an acrobatic hand on it and keep the score even at 0-0. Geller was able to string together some more acrobatic saves and keep the game level heading into the half.
The second 45 minutes saw a closer disparity in offensive performances between the two sides. TCU was able more than double its shot total, playing more of its brand of soccer. However, in the 77th minute, Vanderbilt was able to get on the board and the Frogs were once again left with a late-game deficit in need of a comeback.
With under five minutes remaining in the match, TCU was awarded a free kick and looked to capitalize off of it. Sydney Becerra lofted in a ball to the box that was deflected by the Commodore goalkeeper who was left out-of-position from goal. After the deflection, the ball found Emma Yolinsky who volleyed it where the Vanderbilt defenders were not and tied the match 1-1. The Frogs were able to hold on for the final five minutes and send the match into overtime.
In the extra frame, both teams would go scoreless until the 96th minute when the heroics would once again happen. Seven Castain was able to wall off her defender in the box and the ball found its way to Morgan Brown who was headed to goal. Brown was then tripped by a Vanderbilt defender and the Frogs were awarded a penalty kick. Becerra was able to put the finishing touch on a memorable night and punch TCU's ticket to its first-ever College Cup.
Geller had a career-high nine saves in goal tonight, capturing arguably the best performance of her career on the brightest stage.
GAME NOTABLES
- TCU is headed to its first NCAA Women's College Cup in school history.
- TCU grabbed its 10th NCAA Tournament victory in program history tonight.
- TCU's four NCAA Tournament wins doubles its previous program-high for wins in a single NCAA Tournament
- Olivia Geller recorded a career-high nine saves.
- Sydney Becerra grabbed the fifth goal of her TCU career and 19th of her career with her game-winning penalty kick.
- Emma Yolinsky earned the ninth goal of her career with her second-half equalizer.
- Olivia Geller, AJ Hennessey, Seven Castain, Katana Norman, Kamdyn Fuller, Cameron Patton, Morgan Brown and Grace Coppinger played the entirety of the match tonight.
- Hannah Harms, Grace Vest and Filippa Hoegild were the only three substitutions throughout the match.
TCU will face off against [3] Florida State on Friday, Dec. 5 in Kansas City. That match time is to be announced.
