Impressive Soccer Run Closes in Big 12 Semifinals

Thursday, November 3

Round Rock, Texas

7 PM CT

University of Oklahoma

9-8-3, 3-5-1

TCU

12-3-5, 5-1-3

Oklahoma

TCU

Impressive Soccer Run Closes in Big 12 Semifinals

November 03, 2022 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score

ROUND ROCK, Texas — The Oklahoma soccer team fell to TCU 3-0 in the semifinals at the Big 12 Soccer Championship Thursday evening in Round Rock, Texas.

The six-seed Sooners (9-8-3, 3-5-1) impressive season ended with the loss to the No. 2 seed and defending tournament champ Horned Frogs (12-3-5, 5-1-3).

At 9-8-3, OU had its best season under third-year head coach Mark Carr and its best campaign by record since 2016, including its first winning record and postseason victory since '16.

"The big picture of how far this group has come is remarkable," said OU head coach Mark Carr. "Tonight wasn't reflective of that. Credit to TCU and how they controlled the game from the onset. We kind of froze a little bit and gave up two goals and were disappointed.

"But what these kids have done in a shot period of time, predominately underclassmen, has been incredible. I'm excited for the future, really proud of our seniors, they're kids that bought in to what we were building and helped us springboard into where we can go. Just an incredible season, a big step up from last year. Now we feel we're in a good position to push on and the future is really bright."

After a first 45 dominated by TCU that led to the Horned Frogs going into the half up 2-0, the Sooners responded in the second half by outshooting TCU 8-4.

TCU got on the board in the sixth minute with a goal from Gracie Brian to the bottom left of the goal. In the 40th minute, the Horned Frogs doubled their lead with a converted penalty kick after a foul just inside the box.

The Sooners saw opportunity in the second half with shots on goal from junior Cailey England and sophomore Muriel Kroflin. OU's best look of the match came in the 77th minute courtesy of sophomore Bailey Wesco. After a cross from freshman Hadley Murrell to the front of the goal, Wesco's shot was narrowly blocked by the keeper's foot.

The Horned Frogs added another insurance goal in the 53rd minute by fifth-year senior Messiah Bright.

TCU narrowly took the shot advantage, 12-9 while the teams tied withs four corner kicks a piece.

The Sooners were shut out for the first time all season on Thursday, snapping a run of 25 straight games with a goal dating back to 2021.

In net, freshman keeper Olivia Ramey made a pair of saves for the Sooners. Ramey concluded an exceptional first-year campaign in goal with a 7-3-1 record and four shutouts in 11 starts.

With eyes on 2023, the Sooners look to return 19 student-athletes that made at least one start this season, including nine freshmen that made starts for Carr's squad in 2022.

For updates and more information on Oklahoma Soccer, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_WSoccer) and like Oklahoma Soccer on Facebook.