Sept. 22, 2007

Jayhawks Complete Homestand with No. 19 California

The Kansas soccer team will play its final non-conference home match of the season Sunday, when it hosts 19^th-ranked Cal at 1 p.m. at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex. The Jayhawks will be looking for their second victory of the homestand after topping Missouri State in overtime on Tuesday.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

About the Jayhawks

Kansas enters Sunday’s match at 1-6-1 overall after falling to 25^th-ranked Illinois, 2-1 on Friday. The Jayhawks earned their first victory of the season on Tuesday, downing Missouri State, 1-0 in overtime on sophomore Kim Boyer’s first goal of the season. Three Jayhawks, Boyer and seniors Nicole Cauzillo and Emily Strinden have scored goals this season, while five different KU athletes including Strinden have assists. The Jayhawks return 18 letterwinners and nine starters from last year’s squad, which finished 11-7-1.

Scouting the Bears

Cal suffered its worst loss since 1996 on Friday, falling 4-0 at Missouri. The loss was just the second of the season and seventh in the last two seasons for the Bears. The Golden Bears’ only other set back of the season came on Sept. 14 at Cal State Fullerton in overtime. The Bears are making their first trip out of the state of California this season

Senior forward Stephanie Wieger leads Cal’s offense with two goals and two assists this season, while two other players, seniors Caitlin Hannegan and Caroline Lea, each have two goals. The Bears have used three different goalkeepers this season with Gina Pellegrini seeing the most time. The sophomore keeper has a 3-2 mark with an 0.87 goals against average and a .765 save percentage.

Head coach Neil McGuire is in his first season at <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″?>Cal and has the team off to an impressive start. McGuire inherited a team that returns seven starters and 17 letterwinners from last year’s squad, which finished 12-5-5 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Cal took a 1-0 decision from the Jayhawks in Berkeley last season in the only previous meeting between the teams. KU is 1-3 all-time against the Pac 10.

California on the internet: www.calbears.cstv.com.

Last Time Out

Despite senior Nicole Cauzillo’s first goal of the season, 25^th-ranked Illinois scored a 2-1 triumph over Kansas Friday evening at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.

After the Jayhawks earned a corner kick, senior Emily Strinden collected a misplayed ball by the Illini defense and connected with Cauzillo, who blasted a shot to the far post to cut the deficit to 2-1. The Jayhawks tried frantically to gain the equalizer in the final 10 minutes, but could not find the back of the net. Cauzillo led the charge with a career-high five shots, including two on net.

KU to Celebrate Youth Soccer Month

The Kansas soccer team will celebrate Youth Soccer Month as they play host to No. 19 Cal on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. All area youth soccer players who wear their team uniform or t-shirt to the match Sunday will receive admission for $3. Fans attending the contest will receive free pom poms as well as Kansas Soccer posters and schedule magnets. Members of the Kansas Soccer team will be available for autographs after the game.

Looking Ahead
KU will travel to the state of Texas to open conference play against Baylor and Texas A&M next weekend. The Jayhawks will face the Bears on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. in Waco, and the fourth-ranked Aggies at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 30.