TCU
1-2-0
USC
1-1-0
TCU Drops Heartbreaker To No. 26 USC, 1-0
8/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 27, 2010
BOX SCORE | 
PHOTO GALLERY | QUOTES | POST-GAME VIDEO
In a physical back and fourth match in front of the second largest crowd in stadium history, TCU missed on several scoring opportunities halfway through the first half.
"I thought we competed and are probably a week and a half behind of where I would like for us to be," said head coach Dan Abdalla. "We weren't as sharp with the ball as we needed to be tonight and seemed to be a touch off or a step slow to many times. We have to build on that though and be able to play quicker with our pace. The girls did a good job defensively and the challenge for our team is now to be able to play on that level on a consistent basis, so we can speed up our timing and rhythm."
Early in the first half, Jordan Calhoun, a junior from Norman, Okla., appeared to have given TCU a 1-0 lead in the match, but her shot was saved by a diving Shelby Church in the 13th minute. On the play, Kristen Barg played a ball from the right side into Calhoun, who just missed cracking the scoring column.
The Frogs continued to pressure USC, who came into the match receiving votes in the NSCAA poll, in the 24th minute, but Katie Taylor's header off a corner kick sailed wide.
Following a shot by Alex Mechalske, USC's Ashli Sandoval netted the eventual gamewinner in the 40th minute of the match, beating Kelsey Walters from the left side of the box to take a 1-0 halftime lead.
Kim Castleberry got right to work following halftime, taking a pass on a breakaway, but her shot from the right side of the field, soared over the goal in the 47th minute. A few moments later, the sophomore from McKinney, just missed tying the score at 1-1, watching as her shot was saved by Church.
Senior Cheryl Martin appeared to tie the game in the 63rd minute, heading the ball towards the back of the net, but Church came up with another huge save to keep the Frogs off the scoreboard.
The Horned Frogs once again appeared to have tied the match at 1-1 in the 64th minute when Castleberry rocketed a shot from the left side of the field off a cross by Calhoun, but Church came up with a diving save to keep the score at 1-0 in favor of the Trojans.
TCU, who missed on three-straight trips into USC territory late in the second half, continued to pressure the Trojans in the 84th minute when Calhoun beat the USC defense, but the junior couldn't get by Church.
Calhoun tried one last time to tie the score at 1-1 in the 88th minute, taking one turn and rocketing a shot towards the goal, but Church dived to her right to preserve the USC victory
For the match, USC slightly outshot TCU, 20-12, but shots were tied at 8-8 in the second half. The Trojans also held a slight advantage in corner kicks in the contest, 4-3. Calhoun and Castleberry led the Frog offensive attack with three shots apiece, respectively.
Walters had a solid night between the posts, saving eight shots, while Church posted six saves at Jane Justin Field.
"It was our first Friday night game and we had over 2,000 fans here. It was awesome coming out of our new field house," said Calhoun. "Obviously, we didn't come away with the win, but we competed for a full 90 minutes tonight."
With the loss, TCU moved to 1-2-0 on the year, while No. 26 USC improved to 1-1-0.
The Frogs will return home on Sunday to take on Sam Houston State. Start time for the contest is set for 1 p.m.
Team Stats
Sandoval, Ashli
left side of the box
39:53
