KU Soccer Shuts Out #21 OU, 3-0
LAWRENCE, Kan. – First half goals by Caroline and Jessica Smith lifted the University of Kansas to a 3-0 victory over #21 Oklahoma on Sunday at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex. Oklahoma entered the match in a tie for first place in the Big 12 while riding a 10-match unbeaten streak.
KU’s defense stymied the Sooners throughout the match. OU did not tally a shot on goal until mid-way through the second half. The Jayhawks held the Sooners to three first half shots and out-shot OU, 21-10, during the match.
“The girls were very disciplined in our game plan and executed it well,” commented head coach Mark Francis, who was coaching in his 200th career match. “Defensively, I though this was our best game as far as keeping them out and not giving them any clear cut chances.”
Caroline Smith got KU on the scoreboard in the 14th– minute of the match with her sixth goal of the season. The Jayhawks’ all-time leader in goals scored took a crossing pass from Michelle Rasmussen and beat OU’s goalkeeper Jennifer Nichols as she dove to her left.
Jessica Smith notched her fourth goal of the weekend when she booted the ball past Nichols from the right side of the box. Holly Gault and Nicole Braman were credited with the assists.
Rasmussen capped the scoring for KU with her second goal of the season in the 60th-minute. The junior took a nice feed from Gault and dribbled through the middle of the box before beating Nichols one-on-one.
Julie Hanley improved to 3-0-0 on the season while starting her second consecutive match. The freshman made two saves to record her second career shutout.
The Jayhawks will hit the road for two conference matches next weekend. KU will play Texas Tech in Lubbock on Friday, Oct. 14, and Colorado in Boulder on Sunday, Oct. 16.
Match Notes: Caroline Smith’s goal was the 48th of her career … Caroline Smith’s goal was her first game-winner of the season … Holly Gault recorded two assists for the second time in her career … KU notched its first Sunday victory (1-3-0) this season … KU recorded its seventh shutout of the season … KU swept Oklahoma State and Oklahoma during the weekend after the two teams entered Friday with a combined 20-2-2 record … KU has beat OU four consecutive times.
