Jayhawk Soccer Defeats Colorado, 2-1

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Senior forward Rachel Gilfillan scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season to lift the No. 8 University of Kansas soccer team to a 2-1 victory over defending Big 12 Champion Colorado. The win improved KU’s overall record to 9-2, and evens its Big 12 mark at 1-1. Colorado fell to 9-2-1 overall in and 1-1 in conference play.

“It’s a huge win,” head coach Mark Francis said. “Colorado is a good team.”

The Jayhawks were able to control the first half of play in the match, holding a 5-2 advantage in shots during the period. Sophomore defender Holly Gault got Kansas on the board in the 23rd minute, as she took a rebounded off a Nicole Cauzillo free kick and fired the ball into the back of the net for the early lead. The goal was the third of the season for Gault and her second tally in the last three games.

Early in the second period, Kansas contunied to apply pressure on the CU defense. Gilfillan put the Jayhawks up 2-0, as she converted on a pass from Jessica Kilpatrick at the 51:02 mark. The assist was Kilpatrick’s fourth of the season, which leads the team.

Colorado fought back later in the second period, as it was able to get on the board in the 70th minute. Junior defender Ashlie Mihalcin scored off a feed from midfielder Fran Munnelly to cut the Kansas lead to 2-1.

The Jayhawks were able to close out the game, as the KU defense and goalkeeper Meghan Miller turned the Buffs away in the game’s closing minutes. Miller finished the game with two saves, as she allowed a goal in back-to-back game for the first time this season.

“I was really happy with our movement up front and we got good contibutions from our bench,” said Francis “We still have to work on burying teams when we get the lead.”

Kansas will be back in action next weekend as they host Texas Tech on Friday, Oct. 1, at 4 p.m., and Baylor on Sunday, Oct. 3, at 1 p.m. The matches will be played at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex on the KU campus.