August 28, 2011

Vidal's Last Minute Goals Give Jayhawks 2-1 Win at No. 20 San Diego

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – With just under 10 minutes left in the game, freshman Ingrid Vidal scored two goals within a four minute span to lift the Kansas soccer team to a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over No. 20 San Diego Sunday afternoon to hand the Toreros their first defeat of the season.

With the win, KU improved to 3-1 overall after going 2-0 on the weekend. The Jayhawks topped USC 3-2 on Friday. San Diego dropped to 3-1 on the season.

Trailing 1-0 after the first half, KU struggled to make a strong offensive push in the last 45 minutes. The Jayhawks had just five shots in the second half, including three in the final 10 minutes, but certainly capitalized on its limited opportunities.

During the 82nd minute, freshman Jamie Fletcher carried the ball up the field all the way to the top of the box. She then hit sophomore Caroline Kastor, who was making her way up the sidelines, with a pass in the box to the right of the goal. Kastor one-timed it low to the opposite corner. USD goalkeeper Courtney Parsons got a hand on the ball to make the save but when the ball bounced off of her glove, Vidal was there to punch the ball in the goal for her first career score knotting the game at 1-1.

Vidal was right back at it four minutes later. Junior Whitney Berry received a pass just ahead of midfield and sent a long ball up the pitch to Kastor, who was once again streaking up the right side. Kastor battled with her defender but came away with the ball just outside the goal mouth. She made a pass parallel to the goal line where Vidal easily put a foot on the ball for her second goal.

The Kansas defense limited the Toreros to 10 shots during the game, with USD’s lone goal coming 28 minutes into the game. After a San Diego corner kick, Kansas goalkeeper Kaitlyn Stroud punched the ball out but couldn’t get to it fast enough to grab the ball as USD’s Natalie Garcia kicked it high and out of Stroud’s reach to give the Toreros a 1-0 lead.

Stroud made two saves during the contest and improved to 2-0 in goal.

Berry led the KU offense with three shots, while Kastor and Ingrid each had two attempts, all on goal.

The Jayhawks conclude their three-match road stint this weekend as they travel to Missouri State Friday, Sept. 2. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4 Kansas returns home to the Jayhawk Soccer Complex to host South Dakota State in a 1 p.m. match.