TCU Downs Notre Dame, 2-1

Saturday, April 17

Fort Worth, Texas

7 pm

TCU

11-1-1, 8-0-1

Notre Dame

6-7-0, 4-5-0

Notre Dame

TCU

TCU Downs Notre Dame, 2-1

4/17/2021 10:12:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

TCU finishes 2020-21 campaign unbeaten at home

FORT WORTH – The seventh-ranked TCU women's soccer team outshot Notre Dame 25-11 en route to a 2-1 victory Saturday evening at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium. The Horned Frogs received goals from Messiah Bright and Yazmeen Ryan.

The Rundown
The Horned Frogs found early offensive life getting the ball deep into Fighting Irish territory and forcing corner kicks, totaling eight corner kicks in the first half.

TCU capitalized on its fifth corner kick in the 22^nd minute as Payton Crews delivered a beautiful ball to the back post that Messiah Bright headed past Notre Dame keeper Jaina Eckert for the opening goal.

TCU held the Irish offense at bay in the first half, only allowing four shots, two on goal, which were easily handled by Emily Alvarado.

Notre Dame came out in the second half fighting for the equalizer, but the Frogs weathered the storm and eventually adding to their lead.

In the 79^th minute, Yazmeen Ryan streaked down the far side into the 18-yard box after gathering a through-ball feed from Messiah Bright. Ryan's right footed shot sailed past the keeper just inside the far post for her fourth goal of the spring.

Notre Dame's offense picked up steam late, scoring its lone goal in the 81^st minute on a shot from Kiki Van Zanten. The Irish kept the pressure on, firing two more shots towards goal and forcing Alvarado to make a save in traffic in the 84^th minute to preserve the win.

Stat of the Game
7 – TCU earned its seventh home win of the season and finished the season undefeated at home for the first time in program history.

Quotes of the Game
Head Coach Eric Bell
On a strong spring slate:
"We wanted to play these tough teams in the spring so we could see where our weaknesses are and help us prepare to counteract those in the NCAA tournament. We have proven we can play with the best teams in the country and I feel we are going to show our strength in the tournament."

Concluding the season at home:
"As a whole, it is nice to win, nice to finish the season undefeated at home and nice to be back in a friendly environment. It has been a long season, we have to maintain our bodies and minds for the rigors of the upcoming tournament."

Notes
• TCU and Notre Dame met for the first time since the 2009 season.
• Notre Dame is the second non-Big 12 opponent TCU has faced this season.
• The Frogs had 25 shots in the game, the most since the season opener at Baylor when TCU had 26.
• The Frogs tallied double-digit shots for the 12^th time this year.
• Yazmeen Ryan scored her seventh goal of the year and the 23^rd of her career.
• Ryan moves into fifth place on the all-time goal list, breaking a tie with Jennifer Thompson (1992-95).
• Messiah Bright scored her third goal of the season and the 21^st of her career, passing Jackie Torda (2007-10) for eighth all-time.
• Bright recorded her first assist of the season and the eighth of her career.
• Bright pushed her career points total to 50, moving into a tie for ninth all-time with Torda.
• Payton Crews notched her fourth assist of the year and the seventh of her career.
• Chaylyn Hubbard, Marz Akins, and Brandi Peterson played the full 90 minutes.

Up Next
TCU (11-1-1) will now turn its attention to Monday's NCAA Selection Show as it makes its fifth straight appearance in the postseason. The show will air on NCAA.com at Noon on Monday.