Provo, UT –
It was another sold out crowd at South Field as No. 1 BYU Women’s soccer hosted the TCU Horn Frogs in it’s Big 12 home opener Thursday night in Provo, UT
The match finished in a 3-3 draw as both teams earned one point in their first Big 12 conference match of the 2023 season.
BYU (7-0-1, 0-0-1) has never trailed in any of its matches all year, but that wouldn’t be the case as an upsetted mindset Horned Frogs team would strike in the 2nd minute of play against the No. 1 team in the country.
Prior to BYU entering the Big 12, the TCU (3-3-2, 0-0-1) Horned Frogs won the Big 12 championship just two seasons ago and finished top two the last three years. Although, TCU fell out of the top 25 United States Soccer Poll this week, this is still one of the most dangerous teams in the Big 12.
It was a battle between two former club members, BYU’s Izzie Stratton and TCU’s Seven Casatain.
Who won the battle you may ask? Advantage: TCU’s Seven Chastain. The Draper, Utah native would score two goals in her return back to the state and was the standout for the Horned Frogs on Thursday night.
https://twitter.com/TCUSoccer/status/1702499188188266613
It would be a tough first half for Stratton as Head Coach Jennifer Rockwood would sub her out for freshman Avery Frischknecht, who would play the remainder of the half. Stratton started in second half and would play all 45 minutes.
Despite the uncharatersitic play from BYU’s backline Thursday night. The Cougars have earned all the Big 12 defender of the week since the start of the season.
Rachel McCarthy would cut TCU’s lead in half with a header in the 36th minute, giving BYU momentum going into halftime.
https://twitter.com/byusoccer_w/status/1702501197020848539
The No. 1 team in the country would keep that momentum finding the equaliser, and found it in the 54th minute.
BYU had a counter attack with Oliva Wade-Katoa at the point, who then slotted a pass past the TCU backline that found Allie Fryer to tie the game 2-2.
https://twitter.com/byusoccer_w/status/1702509910473548190
As the insanity increased and both teams would look for the winning goal, TCU found themselves back on top as Seven Casatan would strike again in the 61st minute to give the Horned Frogs a 3-2 lead.
With BYU down again and looking for another equaliser to secure at least point one, the Cougars would turn to their leading goal scorer Erin Bailey. Bailey would finish the cross that came from Ellie Walbruch in the 78th minute.
https://twitter.com/byusoccer_w/status/1702517639632101697
BYU will now face its last in-state rival Utah State on Saturday September 16th in Logan, Utah. Kick is scheduled for 3pm MDT. The game will be streamed live on the Mountain West Network.
