18th-Ranked Jayhawks Shut Out UCF, 2-0

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Senior Holly Gault and sophomore Jessica Bush each collected a goal and an assist to power 18th-ranked Kansas past UCF, 2-0, Sunday in non-conference women’s soccer action at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.

The victory moves KU to 5-2, while the Golden Knights fall to 3-4-1.

“It was a good bounce back win for us,” Jayhawks head coach Mark Francis said. “It was probably the best 90-minute game we’ve played so far this year.”

KU, who won for the seventh time in its last eight home matches, took the lead in the 10th minute and did not look back.

After the team posted a couple of shots in the early minutes, Gault got the Jayhawks on the board. The 5-foot-6 senior took control of a ball served in front of the 18-yard box by Bush and chipped in a shot from 12 yards out to give the home team a 1-0 advantage.

The goal was Gault’s fourth of the season to tie her with Monica Dolinsky for the team lead.

Bush and Gault hooked up again in the second half to put the match out of reach.

After a battle for control of the ball between Bush and UCF goalkeeper Jennifer Manis just inside the box, Gault collected the loose ball to the far side of the net. The senior dribbled twice and crossed to Bush, who finished for her first goal of the season.

Gault was credited with the assist to move her into sixth place all-time at KU with 43 career points.

The offensive support was more than enough for sophomore goalkeeper Julie Hanley and the Jayhawk defense. Hanley made three saves to record her second shutout of the season and the fifth of her career.

Save for a flurry late in the first half, the KU defense kept the Golden Knights at bay. The Jayhawks outshot UCF 21-8, including 13-2 in the second half. Bush led the way with four shots, while sophomore Missy Geha and senior Michelle Rasmussen chipped in three each.

KU (5-2) will open up Big 12 play on Friday, when the Jayhawks travel to Oklahoma State for a 7 p.m., match against the Cowgirls.