Kansas Falls To Wisconsin, 3-2, in Overtime
TOPEKA, Kan. – A University of Kansas own-goal with 2 minutes and 48 seconds left in the first overtime allowed the 25th ranked Wisconsin Badgers upend the 23rd ranked Jayhawk soccer team, 3-2, in front of 1,273 fans at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka, Kan., on Sunday afternoon. The contest was KU’s second consecutive overtime match as its record falls to 0-1-1.
“Tough way to lose,” commented head coach Mark Francis. “Unfortunate, but I think the three goals that we gave up were all from mistakes that they punished us for. We have to learn from those mistakes and hopefully not repeat them again.”
Kansas struck first in the 12th minute of the match when Caroline Smith’s shot from six-yards out deflected off a Badger and into the net. Defender Holly Gault recorded the assist on Smith’s second goal in as many matches.
Wisconsin’s Katy Lindenmuth then struck for two-consecutive goals. The senior midfielder to advantage of a KU turnover and converted from 12 yards out in the 19th-minute of the match. Lindenmuth then scored just 39-seconds into the second half when she blasted a shot past KU’s goalkeeper, Colleen Quinn, just outside the box and into the upper right hand corner of the net.
In the 52nd-minute, junior Nikki Alvarez broke into the Badgers defensive zone and fired a shot from the middle of the box, beating Badgers goalkeeper, Lynn Murray. The goal was Alvarez’s second of her career. The match went into overtime after Caroline Smith’s shot with two ticks on the clock trickled just wide of UW’s net.
Wisconsin ended the game when a shot by Amy Vermeulen was stopped by Quinn but sent to the front of the net. Two KU’s defenders converged on the lose ball but the Jayhawks clearing attempt crossed the goal-line, resulting in an own-goal and Badger victory.
Kansas out-shot Wisconsin, 15-12, but the Badgers put seven shots on goal to KU’s six. Quinn made four saves in her second career start.
Kansas will return to action on Wednesday, Aug. 31 against Missouri State. The match will kick off at 5 p.m. at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.
Match Notes: KU also opened up the 2002 season with back-to-back overtime matches … The last time KU gave up three goals in a regular season match was on Sept. 28, 2003 in a 3-2 loss to Texas Tech … KU allowed three goals to Texas in a 3-2 overtime loss in last years Big 12 Tournament.
For more post-match comments from Mark Francis, call the Kansas Soccer Hotline at (785) 864-7700.
