Torda Leads TCU To Overtime Victory In Vegas

Friday, October 23

Las Vegas, Nev.

7:00 PM

TCU

9-8-0, 2-4-0MWC

UNLV

5-7-5, 1-3-1MWC

OT 2

TCU

UNLV

Torda Leads TCU To Overtime Victory In Vegas

10/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Oct. 24, 2009

BOX SCORE

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Jackie Torda scored the gamewinner in overtime to lift TCU to a 3-2 victory over UNLV at Peter Johann Memorial Field Friday night.

On the play, Michelle Nguyen played a ball into the box to Torda who slid past a UNLV defender to toe the ball into the back of the net in the 98th minute and give TCU the 3-2 overtime victory.

"I was proud of the character the girls showed tonight," said head coach Dan Abdalla. "I thought we scored some great goals tonight and finished some really good opportunities. I am so proud that the girls didn't throw in the towel and fought back in overtime. Give all the credit to UNLV, they did a great job of fighting their way back into the game as well, but our kids responded very well to it. Overall, I am proud of the girls."

Early in the first half, Jordan Calhoun received a pass from Torda and dribbled down the left side of the field, but her shot was knocked out by UNLV goalkeeper Alicia Lugo.

Calhoun tried a few moments later to connect from about 20 yards out, but Lugo came up with another save to keep the score at 0-0 in the 14th minute.

Torda, a junior from Colleyville, put the Frogs on the board in the 36th minute, drilling a shot from 25 yards out into the back of the net over the outstretched arms of Lugo.

In the 46th minute, sophomore Kaitlyn Shelledy netted her first goal of the season off a cross from Nguyen. On the play, Nguyen took a pass on the left side of the field and played it across the box to a streaking Shelledy who dived in front of the net to head the ball past Lugo.

Two minutes later, Ashleigh Shoughro brought the Rebels within one, beating Kelsey Walters off a pass into the box by Shannon Hughes.

Alex Mechalske tried to increase the Horned Frog lead in the 54th minute, but her shot just missed to the right of the goal.

Following a goal by UNLV in the 56th minute, Karoly tried to put TCU ahead in the match, but her header off a cross from Mechalske went high over the goal.

TCU missed on several scoring opportunities late in the match as several Frogs had opportunities to break the 2-2 score. Torda fired first at the goal, but her shot hit the crossbar in the 82nd minute.

Kaylie Garcia and Chelsea Cody appeared to have chances in the 83rd and 84th minute, respectively, but watched as their shots from inside the box were blocked by UNLV defenders.

A few minutes into the overtime, sophomore Katie Taylor appeared to have secured the TCU victory off a pass from Katie Runyon, but she was called for offsides on the play to keep the score knotted at 2-2.

Shelledy almost found the back of the net midway through the overtime, but her shot hit the crossbar.

Torda put TCU ahead for good in the contest in the 98th minute and secured the Purple and White's ninth victory of the season.

Overall, the Frogs, who hit two crossbars in the match, totaled 13 shots, including two in overtime. Torda led the offensive attack with two goals on three shots, while Calhoun, Nguyen and Shelledy chipped in with two apiece.

Walters had a solid night between the posts, saving six balls, while Lugo posted four saves.

With the win, TCU moved to 9-8-0 overall and 2-4-0 in the Mountain West, while UNLV dropped to 5-7-5 overall and 1-3-1 in the MWC. By defeating the Rebels, the Frogs moved one step closer to qualifying for the 2009 Mountain West Conference Championship in two weeks.

"We had a total team effort tonight and were able to create some things," said Torda. "We were able to come out tonight and get the win in overtime, which is something that we really need right now. I think we really played as a team tonight and really worked for each other."

The Purple and White will close regular season action next Friday night at home against San Diego State. Start time is set for 7 p.m. at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium.