STILLWATER, Okla. - The TCU women's soccer program showed a strong defensive presence, but couldn’t find the back of the net at nationally-ranked Oklahoma State Friday, falling by the score of 1-0 in front of a capacity crowd of 1,407 on the road at the Cowgirl Soccer Complex.

“There is a reason why Oklahoma State is ranked as high as No. 7 in the country,” TCU head coach Dan Abdalla said. “I felt like we came out timid in the first half, but we settled in and made it a game. Obviously, we still have some things that we need to work on, but overall, I thought that we showed the potential that we are looking for this year. We’ve got some things that we need to sharpen. We need to be more confident and committed to attack. If we can do those things, we will continue to progress in the right direction. To play in a tough environment against a top-10 team like Oklahoma State in the season opener, I felt like this was a good experience for our team to have.”  

For the game, OSU outshot TCU, 23-13, including an 11-3 advantage in the first half. In her first collegiate start in goal for the Horned Frogs, true freshman Alicen Wright stood strong despite being peppered by the Cowgirls’ most of the night. The Chino Hills, Calif., native became the first newcomer to start between the pipes for TCU since 2009. Wright’s 10 saves are the most by any TCU goalkeeper since Kelsey Walters made 10 stops against Utah on Nov. 4, 2009.

OSU sophomore Kristen Kelley found the back of the net on the eventual game-winning goal in the 29th minute on an assist from junior Megan Marchesano. The pass came through the box from the right side and Kelley chipped it in from eight yards out towards the far post.

Freshman Tori Hale led TCU with three shots, two on goal, during the match after coming in as a substitute. The Midland, Texas native had a chance to knot the match at 1-1 before the end of the opening frame, but her shot went too high. Newcomer Natalie Werner also connected on a strike before the break, but OSU’s All-American goalkeeper Adrianna Franch came up with the save.

The Purple and White endured several scoring opportunities in the second half, using a more aggressive approach. TCU tripled its shot output in the second frame, but Franch was up to the task, making four big saves to keep the Frogs off the board.

Sophomore Brittany Slyman landed a shot on goal inside the first five minutes of the period, but right at Franch in goal.

TCU’s biggest threat came halfway through the second frame, starting with a wide shot by sophomore Brooke Kviz at the 64:08 mark. The Frogs continued to hold possession on the Cowgirls’ side of the field, as senior Kristen Halverson would also miss wide a minute later. Junior Monica Alvarado had to the best chance to tie the match, connecting for a header on goal, but her effort was stopped short by Franch.

With the loss, TCU moved to 0-1-1 on the year, while the Cowgirls improved to 1-0-0 on the young season.

The Horned Frogs will return to Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium to host Lamar in the home opener Sunday. The match is set to start at 1 p.m.

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