No. 5 TCU Comes Up Short Against No. 9 Pepperdine

Thursday, September 16

Fort Worth, Texas

7 PM

TCU

7-1-0, 0-0-0

Pepperdine

8-1-0, 0-0-0

Pepperdine

TCU

No. 5 TCU Comes Up Short Against No. 9 Pepperdine

9/16/2021 10:08:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score

Kellett makes a career-high eight saves

FORT WORTH – No. 9 Pepperdine struck for the game's only tally in the 65^th minute as it handed No. 5 TCU its first loss of the season, 1-0. Lauren Kellett made a career-high eight saves in the contest.

The Rundown
Pepperdine fired off 11 shots in the first 20 minutes of play. Lauren Kellett was on her game, making seven stops to keep the game scoreless. The Waves' best look came in the 10^th minute as Kellett made a leaping save on a shot from distance. She was there to clean up a point-blank shot on the ensuing corner kick.

After weathering the early rush, TCU pushed back in the final 25 minutes of the half. Gracie Brian had the best chance in the 31^st minute as she took a feed deep inside the six and tried to flick it low, but Zoe Cleverly was there to make the save.

Both teams went toe-to-toe in the second half. TCU had some good looks early, but couldn't solve Cleverly. Messiah Bright worked herself into an open spot inside the six in the 48^th minute, but her header was picked off by Cleverly. Grace Collins tested her in the 65^th minute, but Cleverly made a diving stop.

Pepperdine took advantage of a long pass in the 65^th minute to get the lone tally of the match. Tori Waldeck took on two TCU defenders before slipping a shot over the goal line for a 1-0 lead.

TCU battled to the very end earning a pair of corner kicks in the final five minutes, but Pepperdine was able to hold on for the win.

Stat of the Game
7 – Seven of Lauren Kellett's saves in the match came in the first half.

Quotes of the Game
Head Coach Eric Bell
On the game:
"The first couple of minutes I thought we were on the ball, but for the next 20 we were defending. We lost our mojo a little bit. We were able to figure it out towards the end of the first half. In the second half, I thought it was relatively even until they scored the goal. We have to be sharper in those moments and sharper in our attacking zone."

On the play of Lauren Kellett:
"I thought it was fantastic. She made some really big saves to keep us in it. She really had to keep us in it to give us a chance to win. She was really sharp."

Notes
• TCU's home unbeaten streak was snapped at 12, while its home winning streak came to an end at 10.
• TCU's last home loss was on Oct. 20, 2019 against Baylor.
• TCU registered double-digit shots for the eighth time this season.
• TCU was outshot for just the third time this season.
• TCU was shut out for the first time this season.
• TCU played from behind for the first time this season.
• Messiah Bright and Grace Collins led the team with two shots each.
• Gracie Brian, Brandi Peterson and Jenna Winebrenner played the entirety of the match.

Up Next
TCU (7-1) continues a three game homestand next Thursday as Big 12 play gets underway. The Horned Frogs will welcome Kansas to Garvey-Rosenthal. Match time is slated for 7 p.m. The game will be televised on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.