TicketsCINCINNATI— The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team fell 1-0 to TCU on Thursday, in its Big 12 home opener inside Gettler Stadium.
The Bearcats suffered their first loss in conference play and moved to 1-5-3 (0-1-1) on the year, while the Horned Frogs improved to 5-3-2 (1-0-1).
"TCU is an unbelievable program that has gone to the Sweet 16 multiple times over the last couple of seasons, so we knew it would be a hard-fought game for us," head coach Erica Demers said. "I thought we battled hard against a really good and experienced opponent."
It was a defensive battle throughout the entire game as neither team found offensive success until TCU's AJ Hennessey sent one past Cincinnati senior goalkeeper Anna Rexford on a penalty kick in the 73rd minute.
Junior defender Brooke Brown fouled Hennessey inside the box, which would result in the game-winning penalty kick.
The Bearcats' best-chance game came in the 77th minute as sophomore midfielder Megan Smith put a shot on goal from inside the box but was denied.
Scoring opportunities were at a premium for both sides as TCU would end the game leading the shot total category 7-3. The seven shots allowed is tied for the least amount of shots in a game by an opponent this season. Cincinnati held Central Michigan to only seven shots in the 1-1 draw on Aug. 31.
Defense dominated the first half as both teams went into halftime tied 0-0 when shots were 3-2 in favor of the Horned Frogs.
Rexford moved even closer to the Cincinnati all-time saves top-10 list as she is now only one save away from the 10th most in program history. She has recorded 168 saves in her career and 34 this season.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati will welcome Iowa State to Gettler Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 24 for its Play for 3 match. Kickoff is set for Noon ET and will be streamed on ESPN+ and Big 12 Now. The Bearcats will honor the family of Ally Sidloski, a former midfielder who tragically passed away on May 22, 2021, with the announcement of a scholarship in her memory on Sunday. The program utilizes the We Play For 3 mantra as Sidloski wore the number three during her time as a Bearcat.
The Bearcats free post-match kids clinic will still be held despite the time change. The clinic is open to youth in 8th grade or younger, with a limit of 200 participants. Fans can sign up for the clinic here.
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For all the latest information on Cincinnati women's soccer, please visit GoBEARCATS.com and follow @GoBearcatsWSOC on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.