FORT WORTH – After holding the lead for 85 minutes, the University of Minnesota soccer team (0-1-1, 0-0-0 Big Ten) fell to No. 7 TCU Horned Frogs (1-0-1, 0-0-0 Big 12), 2-1, Sunday afternoon at Garvey-Rosenthal Football Stadium.
McKenna Buisman had the lone goal for the Gophers, scoring two hits on the day. Khyah Harper led the category with three, while Megan Plaschko made five crucial saves.
“Overall, I’m proud of the mindset the group had to fight a top ten team out on Sunday,” said the head coach. Erin Chastain. “A crushing way to lose. We have to step up at times but I’m still very proud of our team, the mentality we showed and that we weren’t going to back down.”
Despite a scoreless first half, the Gophers and Horned Frogs played a competitive 45 minute game. Both teams matched each other statistically, with five hits and two saves. In the 17th minute, Harper was the first to create a chance from a free kick. The TCU goalie made a big first stop to open the first half.
Helped by Sophia Romine, Buisman put the Maroon and Gold on the board just three minutes into the second half. Her goal went past the TCU goalie in the bottom right corner. The Horned Frogs offense picked up quickly, making four shots in a ten-minute span, including a free kick that missed from the left. Plaschko came up big for the Gophers, making three saves.
The battle remained in Minnesota’s favor until the 85th minute when TCU scored back-to-back goals to take the lead.
The Gophers return to the ELR this Thursday for their home opener against Cal Poly (0-0-1, 0-0-0 Big Sky) at 6 p.m. CT, the game will be broadcast live on BTN Plus.
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