Kansas Gets First Road Test at San Diego Tournament This Weekend
Aug. 24, 2011
KU at USD Tournament Game Notes 
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Kicking Off
In its first road test of the year, the Kansas soccer team (1-1) will participate in the USD Tournament this weekend, Aug. 26-28, in San Diego, Calif., to take on two NCAA Tournament teams from last year. The Jayhawks will open the tournament versus USC (0-2) Friday at 7 p.m. CST and conclude the weekend versus nationally-ranked San Diego (2-0) Sunday at 1:30 p.m. CST.
About the Jayhawks
Despite dropping its season-opener to Tennessee 2-1 in overtime, Kansas bounced back with a dominating 4-1 victory versus Arkansas Sunday afternoon to take a 1-1 record into the USD Tournament. Freshman Jamie Fletcher shined in her collegiate debut producing three goals in two starts to earn Big 12 Rookie of the Week honors. Her three scores lead the conference as well as her 11 shots and six points. Junior Whitney Berry also had a strong showing last weekend collecting three assists, which ranks first among league players.
Between the posts, the Jayhawks utilized both of its keepers with redshirt freshman Kaitlyn Stroud earning the complete-game victory versus the Razorbacks, while recording six saves during contest for an .857 save percentage.
Scouting USC
USC dropped both of its games last weekend falling 2-1 to Long Beach and 3-1 to San Diego to drop out of the top 25. Sophomore Haley Boysen and junior transfer Erica Vangsness each recorded a goal for the Trojans. Boysen is one of 15 returning letterwinners, while nine starters also return for the 2011 season. Sophomore Shelby Church, who played all 22 games at goalkeeper last year, is back between the posts for USC in 2011.
Kansas and USC will be meeting for the first time on the soccer pitch Friday.
Scouting San Diego
The Toreros claimed two victories against Missouri and then-No. 25 USC last weekend. Senior Stephanie Ochs paced the San Diego offense recording a hat-trick in Sunday’s 3-1 win versus USC. She also added an assist during Friday’s season-opening 2-1 victory over Big 12 foe Missouri. Senior Elissa Magracia and junior Dani Russell notched the team’s goals against the Tigers. Courtney Parsons appeared in goal for the Toreros during both matches. She is one of 21 returning letterwinners, including seven starters, from 2010.
KU holds a 3-0 all-time record versus San Diego. The Jayhawks dominated in their last meeting with the Toreros picking up a 5-0 win in 2009. Kansas and USD also faced each other in 2005 and 2003, both 1-0 Jayhawk victories.
Fletcher Adjusting Quickly
Following an impressive showing during opening weekend, Kansas freshman Jamie Fletcher was been named the Big 12 Soccer Rookie of the Week for games played Aug. 19-21. The KU forward had a great start to her college career collecting three goals in two starts to kick off the 2011 season. Fletcher’s three goals were the most ever in a KU freshman debut and the most to start a season since Caroline Smith tallied five goals in the first two contests of the 2003 season. Fletcher’s three scores lead the conference, while her 11 shots and six points are also tops in the Big 12.
Fletcher becomes the first Jayhawk to earn conference newcomer of the week accolades since Shelby Williamson earned the award on Nov. 3, 2009.
Former Jayhawk Johnson Playing for WPS Championship
Former Kansas defender Estelle Johnson (2006-09), who is in her second season with the Philadelphia Independence of the Women’s Professional Soccer league, will be playing for the WPS Championship next week as the Independence is scheduled to take on the Western NY Flash on Aug. 27. Johnson and the rest of the Philadelphia defense shut down Abby Wambach and the South Florida magicJack to win 2-0 and advance to the title game for the second-straight season. Johnson has played in 15 contests this season, including 13 starts, and owns one goal and one assist while logging nearly 1,200 minutes in the back field.
Up Next
Kansas will complete its three-game road swing as it travels to Missouri State Friday, Sept. 2 for a 7 p.m. contest. The Jayhawks then host South Dakota State on Sunday, Sept. 4 in a 1 p.m. game at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.
