TCU
The Mexican National Team
Horned Frogs Fall In Exhibition Friendly
8/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 25, 2009
BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY
FORT WORTH, Texas - Katie Taylor netted a first half goal off a corner kick, but it wasn't enough as the Mexican National Team dropped TCU, 4-1, in front of 2,089 spectators at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium Tuesday night.The 2,089 spectators was the third-largest attendance in program history and largest ever for a non-regular season match.
"It was an electric atmosphere tonight," said head coach Dan Abdalla. "I thought we learned a lot about ourselves against a high-level international team. That is the reason we played this game, to see where our girls are at going into the rest of our games this season."
The national team, who is currently ranked No. 22 in the world standings, got on the board first in the 24th minute when Monica Ocampo just beat TCU goalkeeper Kelsey Walters.
Jackie Torda, a junior from Colleyville, tried to tie the match halfway through the first half, but her shot from inside the box was saved Mexico goalkeeper Erika Vanegas.
Taylor knotted the match at 1-1 off an assist by Alex Mechalske in the 32nd minute. On the play, Taylor cut into the middle of the box, leaped up over a wall of players and headed the ball into the back of the net.
"Alex played a great ball in and I was able to get a head on it," said Taylor. "It felt great to score a goal, especially since I am a defender."
Kaylie Garcia looked to have given the Horned Frogs the 2-1 advantage a minute later, but watched as her shot sailed high of the goal. Mexico's Evelyn Lopez broke the 1-1 tie in the 38th minute, netting a goal off assists by Tanja Morales and Ocampo.
Walters came up with two huge saves right before the break. In the 43rd minute, Gordillo rocketed a shot towards the upper half of TCU's goal, but the junior from Oklahoma City, Okla., leaped into the air to deflect the ball over the top of the net and keep the Frogs within one going into halftime.
Gordillo increased the national team lead to 4-1 late in the match, netting back-to-back goals, including the final one in the 80th minute.
Taylor almost made the score 4-2 late in the contest, but watched as her shot from about 30 yards out was saved by a leaping Vanegas. In the 84th minute, Torda connected from just outside the box, but her shot sailed just over the crossbar to keep the score at 4-1.
Garcia led TCU in shot attempts with three for the match, while Taylor and Torda each chipped in with two apiece. Walters and freshman Kira Michelson-Bartlett combined to save seven shot attempts on Tuesday night, while Vanegas totaled four for the match.
"We just have to keep moving forward. It was a good experience, but there is a lot we could have done better tonight," said Torda. "We definitely have some work to do before Friday."
TCU, who is currently 1-0-0 on the season, will open its regular-season home schedule on Friday against UT-San Antonio at 7 p.m.
