Jayhawks Roll Tide, 2-1

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Emily Strinden’s goal in the 94th minute lifted KU past Alabama, 2-1 Friday in the first day of play at the UAB Classic. The victory lifts the Jayhawks to 3-1 overall, while the Crimson Tide fall to 2-3.

“It wasn’t a pretty game,” head coach Mark Francis said. “But a pretty win is better than a pretty loss, so we’re happy to get the result.”

After the teams played to a 1-1 tie through 90 minutes of play, KU scored following a corner kick at 93:35.

Freshman Monica Dolinsky started the play, serving the ball to the top of the box from the near corner. Junior Afton Sauer and senior Lacey Novak set up Strinden with a pair of touch passes. Strinden tipped home the winning goal past Tide keeper Kara Gudmens.

For the second straight match, KU took the early lead as Dolinsky recorded her third goal of the season in the eighth minute. The 5-foot-5 freshman blasted a shot into the back of the net from 25 yards out. In four matches, she leads the team with three tallies.

Alabama scored the equalizer less than two minutes later as Kelsey King picked up a loose ball in front of the net and beat a defender to tie the match at 1-1.

Kansas had several opportunities to score the go-ahead goal in the second half, but could not find the net. The Jayhawks outshot the Crimson Tide 20-6 for the match, including 10-4 in the second half.

KU also held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks. Sophomore goalkeeper Julie Hanley matched a season-high with four saves.

The Jayhawks will complete play in the UAB Classic on Sunday with a noon match against No. 12 Duke at West Campus Field.