Jayhawks Take Down Swiss in Final Seconds, 1-0
March 20, 2013
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| Senior Nicole Chrisopulos was congratulated after her second game-winning goal of KU’s European Tour. |
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ZURICH – For the second-consecutive game, senior Nicole Chrisopulos turned in the game-winning goal in the game’s final minutes, giving the Kansas soccer team a 1-0 win over the U23 Swiss National Team Wednesday night in downtown Zurich. The win pushed the Jayhawks to 3-0 for their European tour, which will see its final match Friday afternoon in Como, Italy.
“It was a slow start for us but we really stepped it up after the first 15 minutes,” said head coach Mark Francis. “The Swiss had a very athletic team and were very technical up front but I thought we handled their front line very well. Also, with it being their third game and three days, I thought they looked very fit. That was definitely another positive.”
Kansas, who was playing the third of four international matches this week, went up against some of the best talent Switzerland could offer in the under-23 Swiss National Team. Earlier this week the Jayhawks notched wins over SpVgg Kaufbeuren in Germany, 8-1 on Monday night, then earned a 1-0 victory over FC Wacker Innsbruck Tuesday evening in Austria.
Wednesday the Jayhawks crossed the border into Switzerland hoping to keep their unblemished European record alive another day. Kansas began the match much like it had the previous day in Austria, dominating on the offensive end, earning several scoring chances, but coming out with no goals to show for it.
Sophomore Jamie Fletcher again controlled the midfield for the Jayhawks and led the team with four shots on the night. Junior forward Caroline Kastor also made life difficult for the Swiss defenders, tallying two shots on the day.
Kastor just missed out on her second goal of Euro play and perhaps the Jayhawks’ best scoring chance on the day midway through the second half. Teammate Sarah Robbins put in a solid strike from the right side of the Swiss box, only to have the ball slam off the crossbar. On the rebound Kastor gained control just five yards from the goal, but her shot attempt was grabbed by the opposing keeper, leaving the score deadlocked.
With both teams still looking for the go-ahead goal and the game clock already in the second minute of extra time, Kansas found itself with a prime opportunity on a free kick 20 yards from the Swiss goal. Sophomore Haley Yearout sent the ball into the box and found the senior, Chrisopulos, who flicked it in through several opposing defenders.
The referee blew the game ending whistle just a minute later and the Jayhawks escaped with their second 1-0 victory in as many days. KU outshot the Swiss 11-9 for the match, including a 6-to-2 shots on goal advantage.
KU goalkeeper Kaitlyn Stroud recorded her second shutout of the spring. The junior tallied five saves on a total of nine Swiss shots.
Kansas will take the day off Thursday before playing its final game in Europe on Friday, March 22. The Jayhawks will hit the pitch versus Real Italian Serie B on Friday afternoon with the official kick off time yet to be determined. Get a complete recap of the match as well as the Kansas’ trip through Europe by logging on to KUAthletics.com and following on twitter at KU_Soccer.
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