Ryan lifts soccer to 2-0 win over Oklahoma

Published Sep 27, 2019

Yazmeen Ryan (right) has scored four of TCU’s five most recent goals. Photo by Jack Wallace

The TCU soccer squad opened Big 12 play with a dominant win, improving to their third win a row over Oklahoma. Photo by Jack Wallace.

TCU soccer got back to their winning ways with a 2-0 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners by way of Yazmeen Ryan’s two penalty kicks.

The goals came early in the 6th and 21st minute. Ryan’s goals lifted her to six total on the season, tying Gracie Brian for the most on the team and extending her career goal tally to 15.

“We talked about it over the week and what we needed to do and I thought they responded,” head coach Eric Bell said. “They came out and gave a yeoman’s effort. That’s commendable to them to be successful in a game like this.”

Ryan played in TCU’s backline throughout the match and provided emergency defending for the Frogs. Her presence helped fill the void of the numerous injured defenders.

“I’ve had some experience with high school in the backline so it’s not new to me, but whatever I can do to help our team and to stop goals from going in and scoring goals,” Ryan said.

Yazmeen Ryan (right) has scored four of TCU’s five most recent goals. Photo by Jack Wallace.

The match was also Ryan’s second multi-goal match of her career, with last week’s loss to Arizona being her first.

“Yaz is one of our most versatile players,” Bell said. “She’s very talented and we are fortunate enough to be able to play her in some different spots, due to injury and other situations. We have to play her in certain areas to help us out and she does it with a lot of enthusiasm knowing she’s trying to help the team.”

The second half continued to show defensive domination. Although the Frogs gave up 11 shots, only one was on target. That shot was goalkeeper Emily Alvarado’s sole save of the night, resulting in her fifth shutout of the season and the 11th of her career.

The TCU defense has produced five shutouts in their seven wins and only allowed 11 goals so far on the year (1.10 per match). The offense responded by scoring 26 (2.6 per match). Photo by Jack Wallace.

“From the front players to the back players, we did a really good job of stifling a pretty good team,” Bell said. “We didn’t give up a whole lot through the run of play. We were pretty spot on defending their set pieces and not giving them a whole lot. I’m proud of that and proud to get a clean sheet.”

The win over Oklahoma pushes the Frogs to 3-3-2 in Big 12 openers. It is TCU’s third-consecutive shutout against the Sooners.

TCU faces off next against the No. 18 Oklahoma State Cowgirls at 1 p.m. Sunday at home.