Late Goals Lift Texas Tech over Kansas, 3-1

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Two second half goals by the Red Raiders lifted Texas Tech to a 3-1 triumph over Kansas Sunday afternoon inside the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.

The Jayhawks drop to 9-7-2 on the year and close out Big 12 play with a 3-5 record. The win moves Texas Tech to 13-4-1 in 2012 and 4-2-1 in conference.

For the 10th time this season Kansas struck first. Freshman Courtney Dickerson intercepted a TTU pass 25 yards from the Red Raider goal in the 15th minute and put in a right-footed shot passed the out stretched arms of the Texas Tech goalie to put KU up early.

The Jayhawks had been seeing great success when scoring first this season, boasting a record of 9-0-1 in matches when they put a score on the board before their opponent. However, Texas Tech hasn’t about to go down without a fight.

Just over 20 minutes later TTU’s Dawn Ward headed in her second goal of the year after KU keeper Kat Liebetrau was unable to control a loose ball five yards in front of her goal. The score in the 36th minute brought the teams to a 1-1 tie, where it would remain over the next 35 minutes of play.

The opening period ended somewhat controversially as the Jayhawks’ Ashley Williams appeared to score her eighth goal of the season and put KU up at the break. However, it was ruled that the halftime buzzer sounded before Williams was able to knock in the goal, leaving the match deadlocked at the break.

The early minutes of the second half saw Kansas have opportunities to secure the lead, but the Jayhawks could do everything but find the back of the Texas Tech net.

Forward Caroline Kastor had several scoring chances in the second period, none better than a prime breakaway opportunity in the 51st minute. The junior was found on the end of a Whitney Berry through ball that left Kastor with only the goalkeeper to beat. Her flick at goal sailed just inches wide of the left post, keeping the score tied at one.

Both teams went back and forth over the next 20 minutes until TTU’s Paige Strahan launched a shot from 18 yards out that snuck under the KU crossbar and out of the reach of Liebetrau. The goal put the Red Raiders on top for the first time in the match with less than 20 minutes remaining.

Looking to knot the score up once again, Williams put a pair of shots on goal just minutes after TTU’s go-ahead goal. The freshman forward found openings in front of the Red Raider goal twice within 90 seconds however both of her strikes were halted by Texas Tech’s junior goalkeeper Victoria Esson.

The Red Raiders silenced any doubts of their impending victory in the 79th minute when a loose ball in front of the KU goal was knocked in by a Jayhawk, putting TTU up 3-1 and all but securing the win.

KU had no luck with a late, furious comeback as Texas Tech closed out their 13th win of the season and handed the Jayhawks their first loss by two goals this year.

Both teams broke even on shots with 16 a piece while Kastor led the Jayhawks with five shots, two of them on goal. The senior Liebetrau earned her 11th start of the season in goal for the Jayhawks and tied her season-high with five saves.

The Jayhawks will close out the regular season with a non-conference contest when they host Northern Colorado Friday, Oct. 26. The match, which will kick off at 3 p.m., will be the final home contest for seniors Whitney Berry, Nicole Chrisopulos, Cassie Dickerson, Amy Grow, Kat Liebetrau, Sarah Robbins and Shelby Williamson.

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