TCU
5-3-0
Weber State
4-2-0
Horned Frogs Upend Weber State, 2-1
9/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 18, 2009
LUBBOCK, Texas - Freshman Leigha Leonard netted the game-winning goal in the 85th minute to lead TCU to a 2-1 victory over Weber State on Friday night at the John Walker Soccer Complex."I thought our kids showed a lot of character tonight in coming back after halftime," said head coach Dan Abdalla. "We really strengthened up our defense in the second half, giving up only one shot to a very dangerous Weber State team. I thought we committed to the attack very well in getting 12 second half shots. I am very proud of the girls and happy that they were able to execute the things that we talked about at the half. We still have to clean some things up, but this is what a conference game is going to be like and I thought the second half mentality was tremendous."
Leonard, who scored her first goal of her career, found the back of the net off an assist from Jordan Calhoun. On the play, Calhoun crossed the ball from the left side of the box to a streaking Leonard who flicked the ball past Weber State goalkeeper Rebecca Ritchie to give the Frogs the 2-1 victory in the opening round of the Red Raider Classic.
"I was just running as hard as I could into the box and Jordan played a great ball for the score," said Leonard. "I am just happy that I was able to get my first career goal. I have been working towards this my whole life."
TCU, who pressured Weber State the entire night, totaled 22 shot attempts for the match, including 10 shots-on-goal. Overall, the Purple and White outshot the Wildcats, 22-7, including 12-1 in the second half.
Early in the match, sophomore Kristen Halverson tried to put the Horned Frogs on the board, but her shot from about 15 yards out sailed wide of the goal.
In the 7th minute, Lizzy Karoly, a senior from California, appeared to have put TCU ahead in the match, but the ball was saved by Ritchie.
Collette Simmons netted the first goal of the contest in the 25th minute, just beating Kelsey Walters off an assist from Nicole Moore.
Midway through the half, Katie Taylor rocketed a free kick towards the top half of the goal, but Ritchie punched the ball over the crossbar to keep the score at 1-0 in favor of the Wildcats.
Following a shot by Jackie Torda, Calhoun bent the ball towards the right side of the goal, but just missed finding the back of the net in the 38th minute. The sophomore from Norman, Okla., continued to pressure the Wildcat defense a few minutes later, blasting a shot from inside the box, but Ritchie came up with another huge save to keep the scoreboard at 1-0.
Following halftime, Karoly made a run early in the period off a pass from Calhoun, but Ritchie was able to save the ball before it crossed the goal.
In the 52nd minute, Calhoun tried to connect from 20 yards out, but couldn't find the back of the net.
Midway through the half, Halverson made a run on the left side of the field, but her shot from outside the box was saved by Ritchie.
Calhoun tied the match at 1-1 in the 72nd minute, weaving her way through the Wildcat defense to connect on her fifth goal of the season from the left side of the box.
Sophomore Katie Runyon appeared to have given TCU the lead late in the half, but her shot from inside the box sailed wide of the goal.
Finally, Leonard gave the Frogs their fifth win of the season, scoring deep in the box with only five minutes remaining in the contest.
With the win, TCU moved to 5-3-0 on the season, while Weber State dropped to 4-2-0.
The Horned Frogs will continue action at the Red Raider Classic on Sunday against Alabama. Start time for the match is set for 11 a.m. CT.
Team Stats
Collette Simmons (1)
Assisted By: Nicole Moore
wide open in front of net, upper left co
24:40
CALHOUN, Jordan (5)
71:24
LEONARD, Leigha (1)
Assisted By: CALHOUN, Jordan
Off pass from left side into center of b
84:40
