Bush, Hanley lead KU past Baylor, 1-0
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Sophomore Jessica Bush scored her third-straight game-winning goal, while goalkeeper Julie Hanley held her third-consecutive opponent scoreless as the University of Kansas blanked Baylor, 1-0, in a Big 12 soccer match at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex Friday afternoon.
With the victory, the Jayhawks move to 10-6 overall and 5-3 in the conference, while the Bears drop to 6-9-1 and 3-5 in Big 12 play.
“We scored early and played very well in the first half,” KU head coach Mark Francis said. “The team is playing well; we’re on a little bit of a roll now. We’re definitely playing with more confidence, and that’s important for this time of the year.”
For the third straight contest, Bush tallied the game-winning goal, setting a school record. Scoring back-to-back game-winning goals had been done six other times in KU history, most recently by Caroline Smith on Oct. 9 and Oct. 14 of last season.
In the 10th minute, Bush cleaned up a rebound of a Holly Gault shot to finish her sixth goal of the season to tie her for the team lead. Sophomore Missy Geha started the play, feeding Gault in stride ahead of the defense. Gault’s shot was blocked by Baylor goalkeeper Ashley Holder, but the rebound found Bush eight yards out.
The sophomore has now also scored in three straight matches, which is tied for the third-longest streak in team history.
Hanley, who has not allowed a goal in 256 minutes, made three saves to earn her sixth shutout of the season. The sophomore keeper has surrended just two goals in her past six appearances. During this streak, Hanley has blanked three Big 12 opponents.
KU controlled play most of the way on Friday, outshooting the Bears 14-10 and matching the visitors with four corner kicks. Bush led the way with four shots, including three on net, while freshman Monica Dolinsky chipped in a four-shot night as well.
The win was KU’s third-straight against a Big 12 opponent. It matches the team’s longest winning streak of the season, which was back in September when the Jayhawks defeated St. Mary’s, Alabama and No. 12 Duke in succession.
KU will play host to Texas Tech at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex Sunday at 1 p.m.
KU Notes: Jessica Bush is tied with freshman Monica Dolinsky for the team lead in goals with six … KU shut out three-straight opponents in three-straight victories for the first time since blanking Missouri State, Arkansas and San Diego in succession last season … Hanley’s streak of holding her opponents scoreless for 256 minutes in the longest stretch of her career. The sophomore keeper has earned two shut outs in that time, while holding Missouri without a goal for 76 minutes.
