By Parmida Schahhosseini
Sports Writer
Baylor will finish out its regular season against TCU at 7 p.m. today at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium in Fort Worth. After breaking its six-game winless streak, Baylor hopes to carry that momentum to snatch another win.
With an 8-0-0 record against TCU all-time, the Bears have never lost to TCU, but the Horned Frogs are ready to improve their seeding for the upcoming Big 12 Tournament, as they stand in a three-way tie for fifth place along with Baylor and Iowa State.
“We have a lot of respect for Baylor and the challenges that they present,” TCU head coach Eric Bell said. “They play a unique style of soccer and we look forward to playing them.”
Baylor’s offense has been struggling of late, scoring a lone goal in the last four games. Freshman midfielder Ashley York’s game winner against Oklahoma State propelled the Bears to their first win since Sept. 27 against Oklahoma.
“I was glad to get back on the board because it’s been a while since I’ve scored,” York said. “It’s good to feel like I was helping the team out and help us get a win.”
The Horned Frogs had an up-and-down season, but are confident after a 1-0 win against Iowa State.
“TCU has some really good pieces and they connect passes well,” Baylor co-head coach Marci Jobson said. “They’re feisty on set pieces, like we are, and if we don’t show up, we’re going to lose the game. If we show up, we can compete and have a great chance to win.”
Baylor’s defense has been good during the winless streak. The defense has allowed 12 goals on 166 shots. Not counting Kansas, Baylor lost each game by a goal as the defense kept Baylor in the game despite its struggles offensively.
Junior goalkeeper Michelle Kloss was credited with the win against Oklahoma State to take sole possession of second place on the all-time wins list with 28.
“It wasn’t just the win that mattered, it was that we put a goal away at the beginning and we were able to play our game and play well and be tight,” Ludlow said.
TCU’s defense has been suspect, ranking sixth in the Big 12, conceding 22 goals. Baylor ranks third in the Big 12 with 283 shots, but is fourth in goals with 28. York and sophomore forward Bri Campos lead the Big 12 with five goals apiece, but Campos has also tacked on three assists. Junior forward Natalie Huggins’ four goals also has contributed to a couple of wins for Baylor as two of them were game-winners. Huggins, York and senior midfielder Kat Ludlow each have two game-winners this season. When Baylor clicks on all cylinders, like earlier in the season, it has a good shot at beating anyone.
