TCU Soccer Falls To No. 12 Texas Tech As Big 12 Struggles Continue

FORT WORTH - TCU women's soccer had its opportunities Sunday afternoon, but another frustrating offensive performance left the Horned Frogs on the wrong side of the scoreboard.

No. 12 Texas Tech defeated TCU 1-0 at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium, using an early second-half goal to extend its unbeaten season and hand the Horned Frogs another disappointing Big 12 Conference loss.

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The defeat dropped TCU to 5-6-1 overall and 2-4 in conference play, while the Red Raiders improved to 9-0-4 and 5-0-1 in the Big 12.

And while the final score suggested a tightly contested matchup, the numbers exposed TCU's biggest problem.

The Horned Frogs generated nine corner kicks but managed just six shots, including two on goal.

Texas Tech, meanwhile, produced 13 shots and capitalized on one of its most important opportunities.

After a scoreless first half, Red Raiders defender Kylie Bahr broke the deadlock just 2:12 into the second period, converting a set-piece opportunity with assists credited to Taylor Zdrojewski and Eleanor Hays.

It was Bahr's second goal of the season and ultimately the difference between the two conference rivals.

TCU had spent much of the opening half trying to establish an attacking rhythm.

Despite being outshot 8-3 before halftime, the Horned Frogs earned five corner kicks and created several promising sequences around the Texas Tech penalty area.

Defensively, Hannah Harms delivered one of the game's biggest moments when she cleared a potential goal off the line just before halftime.

That effort kept the contest scoreless and gave TCU an opportunity to regroup.

But the Red Raiders struck almost immediately after the break.

The Horned Frogs responded with increased urgency, creating additional opportunities while attempting to find the equalizer.

Eres Freifeld, Grace Coppinger and Grace Vest each registered two shots, accounting for TCU's entire offensive total.

Freshman Leah Negeri also provided an encouraging development, making her collegiate debut and playing 19 minutes.

Goalkeeper Olivia Geller played all 90 minutes and was credited with three individual saves in TCU's official statistics.

Zoe Cuneio, Cameron Patton and Coppinger also went the distance defensively.

Still, the biggest concern remains TCU's inability to turn possession in dangerous areas into goals.

The Horned Frogs have now suffered consecutive conference defeats following Thursday's 2-1 loss to UCF.

With the Big 12 postseason approaching, the margin for error is shrinking.

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TCU will look to reverse its fortunes Friday, October 16, when it travels to Waco for a 7 p.m. CT showdown with Baylor.

The Horned Frogs are creating chances. But until they start converting those opportunities, competing with ranked opponents won't be enough to change their place in the Big 12 standings.