Kastor's Goal Lifts Jayhawks Over No. 24 Georgia, 1-0
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas junior Caroline Kastor found the back of the net in the 22nd minute, while senior goalkeeper Kat Liebetrau and the Jayhawk defense earned their first shutout of the year as Kansas took down the 24th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs Friday evening at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.
The win moves the KU to 2-1 on the year, while the Bulldogs drop their first of the season, sliding to 2-1.
Kansas put on a defensive clinic Friday in the second game of the Jayhawk Invitational, limiting the UGA’s chances most of the day, while creating just enough offense. The Jayhawks held the Bulldogs to just three shots on net, all of which were cleaned up by Liebetrau, who earned her first shutout since September of last season.
Liebetrau’s three saves propelled her to her ninth-career shutout, which ties her for third-most all time in school history.
The Jayhawks scored the only goal of the match midway through the first half. Senior Whitney Berry launched a corner kick toward the net in the 22nd minute, but Bulldog goalkeeper Ashley Baker was unable to reign in the shot. With the ball ricocheting around the box, Kastor saw her opening, flicking the ball into the left side of the net to give the Jayhawks the lead.
The goal was Kastor’s second of the year and 11th of her KU career. It was also the second game-winner of her collegiate career.
The KU defense stepped up in the second period, allowing only three UGA shots with only one of those on goal. The Bulldogs’ best chance came in the 88th minute when Alexa Newfield sent a bending shot toward the near post but Liebetrau was equal to the task, collecting the final of her three saves.
Sophomore Hayley Yearout started in the defensive backfield for the first time in her career and along with senior Shelby Williamson and juniors Shannon Renner and Madi Hillis aided in the shutout.
The Jayhawks outshot the Bulldogs 11-9 in the match and 3-2 with shots on net. Kastor and sophomore Jamie Fletcher led the team with four shots a piece. The contest also proved to be a physical one as well with both teams combining for 26 fouls.
The win was the Jayhawks’ first home victory against a top-25 team since Oct. 30 2009, when KU defeated then-No. 20 Missouri 2-1. It was also the first shutout against a ranked opponent since blanking then-No. 18 San Diego on Sept. 18 2009.
The Jayhawks will meet UNLV in their second match of the Kansas Invitational Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. South Dakota State and Georgia will start the day at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex with a 10:30 a.m. kickoff. Fans will be able to watch and listen to the Jayhawks on AT&T All-Access and follow on Twitter at ku_soccer.
