TCU
6-6-0
Air Force
2-7-2
Nguyen leads TCU past Air Force
10/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 6, 2007
FORT WORTH, Texas - Sophomore Michelle Nguyen netted two goals, including one on a penalty kick to lead TCU to a 3-1 conference victory over Air Force Saturday night at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium. TCU tallied two of its three goals in the first 10 minutes of the contest to earn its first ever 1-0 conference start under head coach Dan Abdalla. TCU, who has now won three-straight, moved to 5-2-0 at home this fall.
"I thought the kids adjusted very well at halftime. To start conference play with a win definitely helps their confidence level," said head coach Dan Abdalla.
Nguyen put TCU on the board first early in the match, scoring off an assist from freshman Jackie Torda. The Falcons' Corbin Sanford answered right back, netting a goal off a penalty kick at the 5:04 mark of the first half.
Sophomore Lizzy Karoly, who netted her third goal of the season, put TCU ahead in the match, scoring off a deflection, following a shot by senior Angie Nickens. On the play, Nickens, a Dallas native, connected on a shot from outside the box, but had her shot blocked by Air Force goalkeeper Ashlee Curtis. Karoly followed Curtis' mishandle on the ball to give TCU the 2-1 lead.
Karoly looked to increase the Horned Frog lead 23 minutes into the match, but watched as her shot hit the post. Late in the first half, freshman Chelsea Cody looked to score off an assist from Torda, but saw her shot sail wide.
Overall for the first half, TCU was led on offense by Nguyen and Karoly. For the period, Karoly connected on four shots, including two on goal, while Nguyen recorded three shots.
In the second half, Nguyen closed out the scoring for the Horned Frogs with her second goal of the night and fourth of the season off a penalty kick in the 63rd minute. Two minutes later, Nguyen almost recorded a hat trick, but had her bending shot saved by Curtis.
For the match, TCU outshot Air Force, 18-14, including a 14-7 advantage in the first half. The Horned Frogs were led on offense by Nguyen, who posted five shots, including four on goal. On defense, Kelsey Walters recorded four saves on the night, while Curtis stopped six balls.
"I thought overall it was a good game and that everone got involved on the offensive side of the ball. If we continue to score goals we will be in good shape," said Abdalla.
Overall, TCU played in front of 1,214 people Saturday night. The Frogs with the win moved to 6-6-0 on the year and 1-0-0 in the Mountain West, while Air Force dropped to 2-7-2 overall and 0-1-0 in the conference.
TCU has now scored nine goals in its past three contests and with the victory Saturday night matched its total win total from a year ago with six wins.
The Horned Frogs will next be in action on Oct. 11 at BYU. Start time for the match is set for 7 p.m. (CT).
Team Stats
NGUYEN, Michelle (3)
Assisted By: TORDA, Jackie
GOAL by TC NGUYEN, Michelle (FIRST GOAL), Assist by TORDA, Jackie, goal number 3 for season.
4:58
SANFORD, Corbin
AF SANFORD, Corbin PENALTY KICK GOAL.
5:04
KAROLY, Lizzy (3)
off deflection of goalkeeper
8:33
NGUYEN, Michelle (4)
TC NGUYEN, Michelle PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 4 for season.
62:02
