Northwestern Outduels Jayhawks, 2-1 in OT

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Northwestern sophomore Georgia Waddle’s golden goal off of a rebound in the 95th minute handed the Jayhawks a 2-1 defeat Sunday afternoon at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex. The loss moves Kansas to 1-1 on the season while the Wildcats improve to 1-0.

For the second-consecutive match 90 minutes was not enough to decide a winner. However, unlike Friday Kansas could not find the game-winner.

Just five minutes into the overtime period following a corner kick, Northwestern’s Jackie Alyinovich hit a shot that was stopped by KU goalkeeper Kat Liebetrau. However Liebetrau was unable to reign in the ball leaving the rebound for Waddle who launched in the game-winning goal from six yards out.

The overtime loss was the first for the Jayhawks since the opening match of the 2011 season.

Trailing 1-0 at the intermission KU wasted no time tying the match early in the second half. Freshman Ashley Williams’ strike off a cross by Caroline Castor in the 49th minute evened the score and was Williams’ second of the weekend.

The Wildcats got on the board early, getting a goal from Kate Allen off a cross from K.K. Barr just five minutes into the match. KU would threaten several times in the opening period, however coming up empty on all of its chances. The Jayhawks couldn’t solve Wildcat goalkeeper Anna Cassell as she would come up with five saves in the first half.

The Jayhawks had numerous chances in second period, outshooting the visitors 12-5. KU was+ a bit unlucky as well. Early in the second half senior Amy Grow hit the crossbar with a shot from 25 yards out, while senior defender Shelby Williamson hit the post in the 80th minute with the score still tied at one.

Late in the second half, Kansas senior Whitney Berry had two open shots from outside the box and missed high on both, leaving the score deadlocked after 90 minutes of play.
Berry and sophomore Jamie Fletcher led the KU offense with four shots each. Liebetrau posted three saves, while Northwestern’s Cassell made five stops.

Kansas will return to the pitch on Friday, Aug. 24 when it faces the Georgia Bulldogs at 5 p.m., at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex. The match will be the second of the day as KU will host the Kansas Invitational with Georgia, UNLV and South Dakota State participating.