TCU Advances to Big 12 Title Game

Thursday, November 3

Round Rock, Texas

7 p.m.

TCU

12-3-5, 5-1-3

Oklahoma

9-8-3, 3-5-1

Oklahoma

TCU

TCU Advances to Big 12 Title Game

11/3/2022 10:29:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score

TCU advances to its sixth Big 12 Championship game

ROUND ROCK, Texas – No. 17 TCU advanced to its sixth Big 12 Championship game in program history with a 3-0 win over Oklahoma on Thursday night at the Round Rock Multisport Complex. Messiah Bright scored the 50th goal of her career and Gracie Brian tallied her 24th career assist to set establish a new program record.

The Rundown
The Horned Frogs got off to a hot start, scoring early in the first half. Payton Crews delivered a beautiful pass to a charging Gracie Brian. Her shot from just inside the six slid into the lower left corner of the net, giving TCU a 1-0 lead just six minutes into the contest.

TCU continued to pressure offensively and almost added an insurance goal in the 21st minute. Chaylyn Hubbard's shot from about 10 yards out deflected off the crossbar.

The Frogs picked up a big insurance goal in the 40th minute. After an Oklahoma player fouled Brian in the penalty area, Seven Castain converted the penalty kick to give the Frogs a 2-0 lead at the half.

Defensively, the Frogs held the Sooners to zero shots on goal and just one shot in the half.

Another early tally for the Frogs gave them a 3-0 lead just eight minutes into the second half. Brian fed the ball to Messiah Bright who fired a top-shelf laser from just inside the 18.

TCU's defense shined throughout the contest, holding the Sooners to just two shots on goal. Lauren Kellett made two saves, both in the second half, to record her ninth shutout of the season.

Stats of the Game
24 – Gracie Brian became the new all-time program leader in assists with her assist on the third goal of the game.
50 – Messiah Bright became the first player in TCU history to score 50 goals in her career.

Quotes of the Game
Head Coach Eric Bell
Overall thoughts on the game
"I thought we started off really well and played TCU soccer. We created some good goal-scoring opportunities and I'm really proud of this group for the performance they put out. I'm happy to be playing in the final on Sunday."

On taking play to the next level
"We're peaking at the right time. We've figured it out. We're in a good rhythm and we're playing our best soccer at the best and most important time. Now, teams have to deal with us."

On the defense shutting out Oklahoma
"I think it started with us having the ball. We didn't give up a whole lot of chances. We were stout in our defense and didn't really give them anything. They would have had to do something really special to score."

Notes
• TCU advanced to its sixth Big 12 Championship game and will be making its third straight appearance in the championship game.
• TCU has outscored its opponents 8-1 in this year's Big 12 Tournament.
• TCU became the first team to shut out Oklahoma this season.
• TCU outshot its opponent for the 17th time this season.
• TCU has tallied double-digit shot attempts in every game this season.
• Messiah Bright scored her 11th goal of the season and the 50th of her career.
• Bright has tallied a goal in back-to-back games.
• Gracie Brian scored her sixth goal of the season and the 25th of her career.
• Brian has contributed to multiple goals 11 times in her career.
• Brian recorded her fourth assist of the season and the 24th of her career.
• Brian tallied her fourth game-winning of the season and the 12th of her career.
• Seven Castain scored the second goal of her career.
• Payton Crews notched her third assist of the season and the 12th of her career.
• Crews has recorded an assist in back-to-back games.
• Lauren Kellett posted two saves in her ninth shutout of the season.
• Kellett is now second all-time in career shutouts (19).
• Olivia Hasler played the entirety of the match.

Up Next
No. 17 TCU (12-3-5, 5-1-3) takes on West Virginia (9-4-7, 4-1-4) Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Round Rock Multisport Complex. The game will be televised on ESPNU.