In the 83rd minute, Texas Christian midfielder Sydney Becerra shot from 20 yards out and snuck the ball just over the outstretched reach of goalkeeper Maddie Sibbing and just under the crossbar for the game-winning goal.

The game winner for TCU was their fifth game-winning goal, which was scored in the final 11 minutes of the match. TCU, ranked 10th in the nation, has great late-game composure and that helped them once again against Kansas State.

K-State, in their history, has never beat or tied with the Horned Frogs and while they didn’t accomplish either this past weekend, they played competitively with the reigning Big 12 champs. 

“It’s a belief and a willingness and a competitiveness,” K-State head coach Colleen Corbin said. “Just the resilience to want to be in games with top-10 programs, and truly believing that you belong and that you can get a result, that was the difference.”

In the first half of the match, TCU dominated time of possession and were able to get some quality scoring chances, which were halted by the K-State defense.

However, in the second half, it was K-State that controlled the ball and if it weren’t for the late goal by TCU, K-State would have outplayed TCU in the second half of the game.

“We play with intensity and we play with a want to keep the ball,” junior defender Reece Walrod said. “I think that we really took that message at halftime and came out in the second half wanting to play our type of soccer.”

The scoreless first half by the Wildcats defense marked the 15th shutout half of the season so far and continued their streak of not allowing a first-half goal. 

Goalkeeper Maddie Sibbing had some incredible saves in the first half as she continued to lock down the ‘Cats goal along with the back defenders for K-State. 

“They have a huge amount of trust in one another,” Corbin said. “Also Maddie [Sibbing], I think their communication is incredibly high. We couldn’t be more pleased with their performances and just their willingness to continue to grow, and especially in the possession phase of the game, like when we have the ball and we’re building and they’re kind of setting the tempo.”

With tough games against Colorado and now TCU out of the way, the Wildcats have a chance to start rattling off some wins. While a tie against Colorado and a loss against TCU only nets one total point in the standings, the ‘Cats have the confidence moving forward that they can compete in every matchup. 

Their next matchup comes on Sunday in Orlando, Florida as the Wildcats face off against the Central Florida Knights.