Jayhawks Hold Off Pepperdine, 2-1

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Sophomore Emily Cressy scored the game-winning goal and added an assist, while freshman goalkeeper Kat Liebetrau made five saves as Kansas knocked off Pepperdine, 2-1, Friday afternoon in the first match of the Lady Vol Invite at Regal Soccer Stadium.

The Jayhawks improve to 2-0, marking the second-straight season that KU has started with two victories. The Waves fall to 1-1.

Kansas scored two goals early in each half and held on as the Waves peppered the Jayhawk goal with 20 shots, including six on net.

Liebetrau stood tall for five of them to improve to 2-0 in her first two starts

In the fourth minute, senior Shannon McCabe gave the Jayhawks an early lead. The senior got behind the Pepperdine backline took a feed from Emily Cressy and scored from a tough angle on the far side of the goal. It was McCabe’s first goal of the season.

Early in the second half, Kansas took a 2-0 lead as Cressy tallied her first goal of the season. Senior Kim Boyer played a ball to the top of the box where fellow senior Monica Dolinsky flicked a pass ahead to Cressy, who finished with a shot to the near post from 10 yards out.

Pepperdine cut the lead to 2-1 in the 76th minute as Kelly Reilly blasted a shot off the crossbar, which deflected to Michelle Spacciapolli, who finished for the first goal against the Jayhawks this season.

However, that was as close as it would get. The Jayhawks made a defensive stand over the final 14 minutes to hold on for their first-ever win over Pepperdine in three tries.

The Waves outshot the Jayhawks, 20-12, including 11-4 in the second half of the match. McCabe led the Kansas attack with four shots, while Dolinsky and Whitney Berry each chipped in three.

The Jayhawks will face Arizona State (1-0) in the final day of the Lady Vol Invite Sunday at 10:30 a.m. CDT.