Jayhawk Soccer Falls to No. 8 Florida
Postgame Videos: Francis | Berry
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Despite freshman Ingrid Vidal’s conference-leading sixth goal of the season and another score from sophomore Caroline Kastor, the University of Kansas soccer team lost to No. 8 Florida 7-2 on a cloudy Sunday afternoon at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.
KU, which is now 1-2 versus ranked opponents this season, fell to 6-3 overall with the loss, while the Gators improved to 7-2.
The game was a tale of two halves for the Jayhawks. After recording just three shots in the first half and giving up five Gator goals, Kansas came out a more aggressive team in the final 45 minutes collecting 11 shots and matching Florida with a pair of goals. KU’s defense also tightened up allowing only three UF shots in the second half compared to 11 in the opening period.
Florida’s Tahnai Annis, Annie Speese, Havana Solaun and McKenzie Barney all scored goals in the first half, as well as Lindsay Thompson, who found the back of the net just seconds before time expired in the first half.
The Jayhawks regrouped at halftime and, despite a Florida goal off a penalty kick in the 48th minute, played more on the Gators’ side of the field in a physical second half in which the teams combined for 16 fouls.
KU’s increased ball control and offense paid off as Vidal broke the shutout with a goal in the 53rd minute. A Florida defender went to play a ball back to goalkeeper Brooke Chancey but Vidal intercepted the pass and scored for the sixth time this season. Her six goals are tied for the Big 12 Conference lead while her 16 points are tops in the league.
Five minutes later Kastor scored KU’s second goal in the 58th minute following a corner kick. Junior Whitney Berry took the corner and sent it into the box where freshman Jamie Fletcher headed the ball at the goal. Her shot was blocked by the UF defense but Kastor was able to put a foot on the loose ball and punch it into the back of the net as Kansas then trailed 6-2.
Vidal nearly cut Kansas’ deficit to three when she found the back of the net in the 60th minute but the goal was disallowed when she was ruled offsides, the second time the forward had a goal taken away during the contest. Vidal was also called offsides in the first half just before putting the ball in the back of the net.
Florida was able to tally one last goal when Maggie Rodgers’ pass across the goal mouth from the right side of the field found Tahnai Annis in the box as she scored for the second time in the match during the 88th minute.
Kansas will continue its tough stretch of schedule as it opens Big 12 Conference play at No. 2 Oklahoma State on Friday, Sept. 23. The Jayhawks play again next weekend when they host Oral Roberts on Sunday, Sept. 25 in a nonconference match.
