Jersey Retirement Highlights Soccer Alumni Weekend
Sept. 29, 2011
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Former Kansas soccer players will reunite this weekend in Lawrence as Jayhawk alumni gather in conjunction with KU Athletics’ K Club Weekend. Among the events planned, a jersey retirement ceremony will be held for former soccer standouts Meghan Miller, Caroline Smith and Holly Gault.
The trio, KU’s NSCAA All-Americans, will be honored on Sunday, Oct. 2, prior to KU’s soccer match versus No. 24 Texas A&M. Sunday is also Jayhawks for a Cure game. By wearing pink, fans can get into the game for just $3. Donations will also be accepted at the game with proceeds going to Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the KU Cancer Center. Elizabeth Gault, mother of Holly Gault and cancer survivor, will be presenting the game ball.
Festivities will begin Friday evening as KU soccer will take on Texas at 5 p.m. Following the game, current and former Jayhawk soccer players will mingle at the Alumni BBQ. Saturday afternoon, soccer alum will hit the field for a pick-up game.
About the Retired Jersey Members
A goalkeeper at KU from 2001-04, Meghan Miller was named Soccer Buzz All-America First Team and NSCAA All-America Second Team in 2004 after guiding the Jayhawks to their first Big 12 Championship title. Miller was also part of a staff that gave up just 13 goals all season, a KU single-season record. During her tenure, Kansas made three NCAA Tournament appearances, including the Sweet 16 in 2003. Miller still ranks first in Kansas soccer history with a 0.98 career goals against average, 60 wins, 28 shutouts and 88 appearances at goalie.
From 2002-05, forward Caroline Smith led the KU offense each season in scoring and continues to sit atop the KU record books with 126 points, 51 goals and 333 shots for her career. In 2004, Smith was a NSCAA All-America selection for the second-straight year. She was also named a Freshman All-American by Soccer Buzz in 2002. Smith was a part of two NCAA Tournament teams while donning the Crimson and Blue scoring five goals in those contests which continues to be a program best for postseason play.
Holly Gault was a defender for the Jayhawks from 2003-06 earning two All-America distinctions in that time, including NSCAA first team honors in 2004 when KU was crowned Big 12 Champions. With Gault in the back field the Jayhawks set a program record allowing just 13 goals in 2004. Despite playing on defense, Gault managed the program’s fourth-most career assists with 19. Over her four-year campaign, she also logged the third-most starts in a KU career with 82.
