Soccer set for match against Oklahoma State
8/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 14, 2008
FORT WORTH, Texas - The TCU women's soccer team will travel to Stillwater, Okla., this Saturday for a 6 p.m. preseason match against No. 23 Oklahoma State.
Against the Cowgirls
TCU closed out its 2007 exhibition slate with a 0-0 tie against Oklahoma State at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium. The match against the Cowgirls was played in front of 1,238 spectators.
For the match, Jenna Hayes led the Horned Frogs with three shots, while both Michelle Nguyen and Jackie Torda chipped in with two apiece.
Scouting Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State comes into Saturday's contest having advanced to the second round of the NCAA Soccer Championship each of the last two seasons. Last fall, the Cowgirls knocked off top 10-ranked San Diego in the first round of the NCAA tournament. OSU will be led by returning All-American Yolanda Odenyo, who is a two-time first-team All-Big 12 performer and was the 2006 Co-Big 12 Player of the Year.
Scouting TCU
TCU returns nine of 11 starters from a team that posted the most overall wins during Abdalla's four-years in Fort Worth. The Purple and White will rely heavily on returning all-conference performer Lizzy Karoly and sophomore Jackie Torda, who led TCU in goals scored last fall with nine, to carry the frontline during most of the season.
With the departure of senior leader Angie Nickens in the midfield, TCU will count on returning starters Chelsea Cody, Michelle Nguyen and Nikki Wilbur during the early portion of the season. Look for redshirt freshman Kaylie Garcia to make her presence felt early and often this season as she was a Top 150 recruit coming out of high school.
The defense from 2007 returns intact with seniors Sara Schneider and Caroline Starns providing leadership from the backline. Sophomore Cheryl Martin also returns, following a solid freshman campaign in which she started 18 matches. Returning goalkeeper Kelsey Walters is back as well and will look to continue her domination in net after picking up several weekly honors following a shutout of nationally ranked Utah to closeout the season last fall.
Up Next
TCU will open regular season action at home against 2007 NCAA qualifier Stephen F. Austin on Aug. 22. Start time for the match is set for 7 p.m. at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium.
