No. 18 Kansas Downs Missouri State, 4-1
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Junior Monica Dolinsky scored a goal and had an assist, while three other Jayhawks tallied their first goals of the season as No. 18 Kansas took care of Missouri State, 4-1 Friday evening at Plaster Sports Complex in a non-conference soccer match.
The Jayhawks improve to 5-0, marking their longest winning streak since a seven-match win streak late in the 2004 season. The Bears fall to 3-3-1 overall.
Kansas used an explosive offense to grab an early lead on never looked back. Sophomore defenders Lauren Jackson and Katie Williams as well as junior forward Shannon McCabe each tallied their first goals of the season.
Jackson started things in the fifth minute, knocking a ball in from over 20 yards out. Jackson gained control of the ball after a throw-in and lifted a shot that eluded the Missouri State keeper to give the Jayhawks a 1-0 lead. It was the sophomore’s first career goal.
Twenty minutes later, KU struck again as McCabe blasted a left-footed shot past the keeper on the near side of the net. It was McCabe’s first goal since Oct. 12 of last season. Dolinsky collected an assist on the play.
Senior Sara Rogers set up the Jayhawks final goal of the first half following a corner kick. After a scramble in front of the net on the kick, Missouri State deflected the ball to the far side of the goal where the Kansas senior corralled the ball. Rogers then fed it back to the middle of the box where Katie Williams finished for a 3-0 Jayhawk lead in the 27th minute.
The Bears got on the board in the 38th minute on a misplayed ball by the Kansas defense. MSU’s Samantha Aguliara headed the ball in to get the Bears within 3-1.
Kansas regained a three-goal advantage midway through the second half. After being fouled just outside of the penalty area, Dolinsky fired in a direct free kick to the top near side of the net in the 62nd minute. It was Dolinsky’s third of the season, and second multi-point match.
The Jayhawks held serve the rest of the way. KU had a decided advantage in pace of play, outshooting the Bears, 16-5, including 9-2 in the first half.
Dolinsky led the way with three shots in the match, while 12 Kansas athletes in all registered at least one attempt.
The Kansas goalkeeping tandem of Julie Hanley and Stephanie Baugh made two saves in net.
The four goals scored against Missouri State was the most since a 4-0 loss to Creighton in 2005.
Kansas (5-0) will play host to Loyola-Chicago Sunday at 1 p.m. It will be KU’s last home match at Jayhawk Soccer Complex until Oct. 3.
