No. 8 Kansas Soccer Rebounds to Defeat Mississippi

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Junior forward Caroline Smith collected a goal and an assist to help lead No. 8 Kansas soccer back into the win column, as the Jayhawks (7-1) defeated the Mississippi Rebels 2-0 on Friday at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.

Kansas dominated the first half of play, controlling the ball in the offensive zone and outshooting the Rebels 10-1 in the period. The offensive pressure finally payed off as the Jayhawks got on the board in the game’s 25th minute, when senior Rachel Gilfillan beat Ole Miss goalkeeper Ann Shelton for her third goal of the season. Kansas had several other chances in Mississippi’s end but was unable capitalize and took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

In the second half, both teams traded offensive chances, but it was KU who was finally able to convert and take a commanding late 2-0 lead. At the 82:40 mark of the second half, Smith took feed from Amy Geha and broke in on the goalkeeper to tally her third goal of the season.

Senior goalkeeper Meghan Miller saw only five Ole Miss shots in the match and was forced to make only one save on the way to collecting her sixth shutout of the season. For Miller, it was her 25th career shutout which adds to her school record in that category.

Kansas will now hit the road to battle Auburn in Auburn, Ala., on Sunday, Sept. 19, at 2 p.m. The Jayhawks will open Big 12 Conference play next weekend when they host Nebraska and Colorado at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.