Berry's Big Second Half Powers Jayhawks Past Texas Tech, 3-2
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas freshman Whitney Berry scored twice and set up another goal, while senior Kim Boyer added two assists as the Jayhawks earned their first Big 12 win of the season, 3-2 over Texas Tech Friday at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.
KU improves to 9-4-1 overall and 1-3 in the Big 12, while Tech falls to 8-5-1 and 3-1-1 in conference play.
While the Jayhawks were able to snap a mid-season slide Friday afternoon, it did not come easily as KU trailed for the first time at the half for the first time at home this season. Tech took a 1-0 lead on the strength of Dawn Ward’s 10th goal of the season at 31:14 of the first half.
However, Berry helped the lead the Jayhawks back in the second half.
First, the freshman chipped a shot over the keeper from 18 yards out to tie the score at 1-1. Kansas senior Kim Boyer made a run with the ball into the box, and left it for Berry, who dribbled and flipped her shot into the upper third in the 53rd minute of play.
The freshman then gave KU its first lead of the day in the 60th minute as Tech failed to clear a cross from Caitlin Noble out of the box, allowing Berry to steal the ball and score from six yards away at 59:37.
Just over three minutes later, the freshman started KU’s third goal with a cross from the far side of the field that Boyer was able deflect to freshman Shelby Williamson, who ran onto the ball and fired it into the near side of the net for her sixth goal of the season at 62:38. Williamson’s six goals tie her for the team lead with sophomore Emily Cressy.
Berry’s five-point effort matched the individual high by a Kansas player this season. Junior Rachel Morris also scored two goals and an assist earlier this year against South Dakota State.
The Red Raiders got to within one goal in the 89th minute as Ward hit a streaking Connor Williams with a slotted ball through the Kansas defense, however, that was as close as it would come.
Redshirt freshman Kat Liebetrau made six saves on eight Texas Tech shots on frame.
The Jayhawks held a slight 14-13 margin in shots, with Berry and Williamson leading the way with four each. Williams and Ward paced the Tech attack with three shots a piece.
KU’s three second-half goals matched its best one-half output this season. The Jayhawks scored three first-half goals against Long Beach State and San Diego this year.
The Jayhawks will look to keep their home unbeaten streak going on Sunday when they play host to Colorado at 1 p.m. The team will be wearing pink armbands for the match as part of the “Jayhawks for a Cure” promotion, which supports the fight against breast cancer.
