Alabama
3-0-0, 0-0-0
TCU
1-1-1, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCU | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Alabama | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Soccer Grabs Second Ranked Win, Defeating No. 15 TCU, 3-2, in Home Opener Thursday
8/20/2026 11:35:00 PM | Soccer
The Crimson Tide earns its highest ranked win since 2022, its first at home since 2023
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - No. 18 Alabama earned its second straight ranked win in Thursday night's home opener at the Alabama Soccer Complex, taking down No. 15 TCU, 3-2.
The win is Alabama's (3-0-0) highest ranked victory since defeating No. 8 Duke on Nov. 25, 2022 and its first win over a ranked opponent at home since downing No. 17 Memphis on Aug. 27, 2023. The Crimson Tide has now beaten back-to-back ranked opponents, preceding tonight's victory over TCU (1-1-1) with a 2-1 road win last Saturday at then-No. 21 Memphis.
Alabama struck first in the eighth minute on a Larkin Thomason penalty kick goal, already her third this season. The senior is 3-for-3 in penalty kicks this year and is now 9-for-9 in her career, already matching her season total from 2025 and 2024. The Horned Frogs tied it up 15th minute, but a mistake off a corner kick in the 17th led to a TCU own goal to put the Tide back in front, 2-1.
With the score the same to start the second half, the Frogs knotted it up soon after play resumed off a header in the 48th minute. Less than 10 minutes later, Thomason lofted a long pass up the middle to a sprinting Ashley Roni, who broke away from two defenders to meet the TCU keeper one-on-one in the box. The junior found the back of the net for the game-winning goal as the Horned Frogs were ultimately kept at bay for the remaining 30-plus minutes.
From Head Coach Wes Hart
"TCU was a tough team. They went to the college cup last year. We knew they would be a tough task, but I think our girls answered the call. We kind of conceded a little bit in the possession. We would have liked to keep the ball a little bit more. We just tried to limit their chances. I thought we were effective in the first half at limiting their chances. In the second half, I thought we cleaned it up a little bit. We were able to test them high up the field and I thought we did a better job at keeping the ball. Overall, I'm super proud of the girls. The fans were incredible. They gave us that little extra push that we needed."
Highlights
- The ranked win is the 25th all-time for Alabama, its 17th at home and the 16th under Head Coach Wes Hart
- It is the highest ranked win since defeating No. 8 Duke, 3-2 (OT), on Nov. 25, 2022
- It is the first home win over a ranked team since beating No. 17 Memphis on Aug. 27, 2023
- Larkin Thomason is 3-for-3 this season on penalty kicks, already matching her season total from 2025 and 2024
- Ashley Roni's goal was her second this season and her first career game-winning goal
Scoring Summary
- 8' | Larkin Thomason scored on a penalty kick (1-0)
- 15' | TCU bounced one in off the right post off a long shot attempt (1-1)
- 17' | Alabama took the lead on a TCU own goal (2-1)
- 48' | The Horned Frogs tied the game on a header into the left corner (2-2)
- 55' | Ashley Roni scored the game-winner off a long breakaway (3-2)
Up Next
- Sunday, Aug. 23 at Nebraska - Lincoln, Neb. - Noon CT
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Larkin Thomason (2)
ALA Larkin Thomason PENALTY KICK GOAL.
07:51
Emma Yolinsky (2)
GOAL by TCU Yolinsky, Emma.
14:30
0
GOAL by ALA TEAM.
16:57
Emma Yolinsky (2)
Assisted By: Eres Freifeld
GOAL by TCU Yolinsky, Emma Assist by Freifeld, Eres.
47:18
Ashley Roni (2)
Assisted By: Larkin Thomason
GOAL by ALA Roni, Ashley Assist by Thomason, Larkin.
54:17
