Thursday, August 17
Fort Worth, Texas
7 p.m.
TCU
1-0-0, 0-0-0
1
vs
0
SMU
0-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
SMU
0
0
0
TCU
1
0
1
No. 9 TCU Tops SMU in Season Opener
8/17/2023 10:29:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Brian nets game-winner in the 22nd minute
FORT WORTH – Gracie Brian's goal in the 22nd minute proved to be the game-winner as No. 9 TCU outlasted SMU 1-0 in the season opener Thursday night at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium. Lauren Kellett tallied five saves in the victory and tied the school career record with her 21st shutout.
The Rundown
TCU dominated possession early in the contest and created several solid opportunities in the opening minutes of play, including a free kick from Brian from the top of the 18 in the 15th minute.
The Frogs' defense kept pace with the offense, limiting the Mustangs' quality chances, highlighted by Lauren Memoly breaking up a Mustang two-on-one attack in the fifth minute.
The Horned Frogs eventually capitalized off a scramble inside the six in the 22nd minute when AJ Hennessey found Brian for a shot that landed in the left corner of the net.
In the second half, Lauren Kellett posted four saves including two on dangerous shots from the Mustangs from close distance and a diving stop in the 81st minute to preserve the clean sheet.
Stat of the Game
13 - Gracie Brian registered her 13th career game-winning goal.
21 - Lauren Kellett tied Emily Alvarado's career record with her 21st shutout.
Quotes of the Game
Head Coach Eric Bell
On the game:
"First game of the season; tough, well-fought game. I'm happy with the results from our group. We will watch the tape and hope to get better, but that's a quality SMU squad and a cross-town rivalry. We are happy to come away with the victory."
On Gracie Brian:
"She is the most hardworking, most mentally tough and competitive kid that we have on the team and she's going to bring that every day and we rely on that to be successful."
On Lauren Kellett:
"She made some big saves to keep us in the game and keep the clean sheet. She's grown so much over the last four years, I'm happy for her and happy to get the shutout. It's a total team effort, but she stood out and was one of our special players tonight.
On The Horned Frog defense:
"Overall, I really liked the work and commitment to not give up a goal. SMU has a solid group and I have a lot of respect for their staff and their team. I thought we worked hard as a group."
Notes
• TCU improved to 9-2-1 in home openers under head coach Eric Bell.
• TCU is unbeaten in its last nine home openers (8-0-1).
• TCU tallied double-digit shots in the game with 17.
• Gracie Brian scored her first goal of the season and 27th career goal.
• Brian is now tied with Michelle Prokof (2013-16) for third all-time in career goals.
• AJ Hennessey recorded her first assist of the year and the fourth of her career.
• Zoe Calyer, Gabbi Ceballos, Bella Diorio and Marli Galdamez made their collegiate debuts.
• Jennie Immethun, Sandra Jakobsen and Petie Nassetta made their Horned Frog debuts.
• Brenna Brosam and Grace Coppinger both played the entirety of the match.
Up Next
No. 9 TCU hosts No. 6 Florida State on Sunday at 7 p.m. at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium. The game will be televised on Big 12 Now on ESPN+
The Rundown
TCU dominated possession early in the contest and created several solid opportunities in the opening minutes of play, including a free kick from Brian from the top of the 18 in the 15th minute.
The Frogs' defense kept pace with the offense, limiting the Mustangs' quality chances, highlighted by Lauren Memoly breaking up a Mustang two-on-one attack in the fifth minute.
The Horned Frogs eventually capitalized off a scramble inside the six in the 22nd minute when AJ Hennessey found Brian for a shot that landed in the left corner of the net.
In the second half, Lauren Kellett posted four saves including two on dangerous shots from the Mustangs from close distance and a diving stop in the 81st minute to preserve the clean sheet.
Stat of the Game
13 - Gracie Brian registered her 13th career game-winning goal.
21 - Lauren Kellett tied Emily Alvarado's career record with her 21st shutout.
Quotes of the Game
Head Coach Eric Bell
On the game:
"First game of the season; tough, well-fought game. I'm happy with the results from our group. We will watch the tape and hope to get better, but that's a quality SMU squad and a cross-town rivalry. We are happy to come away with the victory."
On Gracie Brian:
"She is the most hardworking, most mentally tough and competitive kid that we have on the team and she's going to bring that every day and we rely on that to be successful."
On Lauren Kellett:
"She made some big saves to keep us in the game and keep the clean sheet. She's grown so much over the last four years, I'm happy for her and happy to get the shutout. It's a total team effort, but she stood out and was one of our special players tonight.
On The Horned Frog defense:
"Overall, I really liked the work and commitment to not give up a goal. SMU has a solid group and I have a lot of respect for their staff and their team. I thought we worked hard as a group."
Notes
• TCU improved to 9-2-1 in home openers under head coach Eric Bell.
• TCU is unbeaten in its last nine home openers (8-0-1).
• TCU tallied double-digit shots in the game with 17.
• Gracie Brian scored her first goal of the season and 27th career goal.
• Brian is now tied with Michelle Prokof (2013-16) for third all-time in career goals.
• AJ Hennessey recorded her first assist of the year and the fourth of her career.
• Zoe Calyer, Gabbi Ceballos, Bella Diorio and Marli Galdamez made their collegiate debuts.
• Jennie Immethun, Sandra Jakobsen and Petie Nassetta made their Horned Frog debuts.
• Brenna Brosam and Grace Coppinger both played the entirety of the match.
Up Next
No. 9 TCU hosts No. 6 Florida State on Sunday at 7 p.m. at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium. The game will be televised on Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Team Stats
SMU
TCU
Goals
0
1
Shots
10
17
Shots on Goal
5
7
Saves
6
5
Corners
7
6
Fouls
10
10
Scoring Plays
Gracie Brian (1)
Assisted By: AJ Hennessey
GOAL by TCU Brian, Gracie Assist by Hennessey, AJ.
21:48
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
MF
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