No. 13 Jayhawks Fall in Final Minutes, 2-1

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Denver midfielder Katy Van Liesthout’s unassisted goal with 5:44 remaining in regulation propelled the Pioneers past No. 13 Kansas, 2-1, in a non-conference soccer match at the Colorado College Invitational Friday at Stewart Field.

The Jayhawks suffer their first loss of the season, dropping to 5-1, while DU improves to 4-1-1. This marks the second-straight season that Kansas started the season with five wins, only to fall by a 2-1 score in its sixth contest of the season.

Kansas and Denver, who met in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season, played even for the first 85 minutes, before the Pioneers found the game-winning goal following a Jayhawk foul.

On a free kick from 25 yards out, Van Lieshout sent a shot through traffic that skipped to the right of Kansas goalkeeper Julie Hanley and into the net at 84:16. The goal marked the first time that Kansas has been behind in a game this season.

The Jayhawks tried desperately to find the equalizer, but to no avail. KU’s best chance came with 1:30 left, when senior Monica Dolinsky sent a cross through the Denver goal box, however Emily Cressy’s shot sailed high over the net.

Cressy got the Jayhawks on the board in the first half with a high-arching shot over Denver goalkeeper Lara Campbell in the 30th minute. Junior Rachel Morris collected her first assist of the season on the play, finding Cressy in the top outside corner of the box.

However, DU tied the score quickly, as Kaitlin Bast headed home a pass from Megan Flannery less than three minutes later.

Kansas held a slight edge in shots, 16-13, and corners, 5-4. The Jayhawks also forced Denver goalkeeper Lara Campbell into making seven saves.

Dolinsky led the offensive attack, with five shots and two shots on goal. Cressy chipped in with three shots for KU.

The Jayhawks will look to rebound Sunday against Colorado College at 3:30 p.m. CDT.