Jayhawks, Sooners Play to 1-1 Draw
NORMAN, Okla. – Senior Jessica Bush scored her first goal of the season and senior goalkeeper Stephanie Baugh made five saves as Kansas and Oklahoma played to a 1-1 draw Sunday afternoon at John Crain Field.
The Jayhawks move to 8-5-1 overall and 2-3-1 in the Big 12, while Oklahoma goes to 1-12-1 overall and 0-4-1 in the conference.
The Jayhawks scored an unassisted goal by Bush in the second minute of action to take a 1-0 lead, but could not increase the lead.
Bush got the Jayhawks on the board at the 1:29 mark of the first half. The 5-foot-2 midfielder took control of a loose ball just outside the box and popped a shot over Oklahoma goalkeeper Traci Dickenson for her first goal of the season. It marks the second year in a row that Bush has scored an unassisted goal against the Sooners.
Kansas had a handful of opportunities to increase their lead, but could not. In the 28th minute, Missy Geha unleashed a laser from 25 yards out that Dickenson dove for and knocked out of the air. Later in the half, Kelsey Clifton had an open shot on a breakaway that Dickenson was able to corral.
Oklahoma tied the score midway through the second half as Whitney Palmer blasted a shot past the keeper on the far side. The Jayhawks’ defense could not corral a loose ball at the top of the box. The ball ended up on Palmer’s foot, where the sophomore rocketed a shot into the net to knot the match at one.
The two teams played through a pair of scoreless overtime periods, with KU’s best opportunity coming late in the first session as the Jayhawks had numbers in the box, but Monica Dolinsky’s bad angle attempt from the near side hit the side of the net.
Baugh, a senior from Kansas City, made five saves in her first career start. KU’s Julie Hanley was not eligible to play due to a red card in the Jayhawks’ Friday evening match against Oklahoma State.
The senior keeper saved the ‘Hawks on a few occasions. Midway through the second half, the Sooners had numbers in the box and Baugh intercepted a Lauren Alkek cross in front of an attacker.
The Jayhawks outshot the Sooners, 18-14, including 8-3 in the second half. Dolinsky led the way with four shots.
Kansas will look to regroup against nationally ranked Texas A&M next Friday at 4 p.m. The match will be the first of four straight at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.
