No. 10 Texas Tops Jayhawks, 1-0
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Despite outshooting the visiting Longhorns, Kasey Moore’s goal in the 22nd minute proved to be the game-winner as Kansas fell to 10th-ranked Texas, 1-0 in a Big 12 soccer match played on a chilly Friday at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.
Texas improves to 11-2-3 overall and 4-2-2 in the Big 12, while Kansas falls to 10-6-1 overall and 3-4-1 in conference play.
With temperatures in the mid-40’s and winds gusting up to 15 mph, neither squad could generate much offense Friday. The visiting Longhorns scored the only goal of the match off a turnover in the midfield and a long pass down the far sideline.
Following a KU turnover, Kylie Doniak found Kasey Moore at the end of a ball down the sideline. The UT forward went around her defender and found the net with a shot from the far corner of the box in 22nd minute of the first half, giving the Longhorns a 1-0 lead.
From that point on, both teams tightened up defensively. Kansas held the Longhorns to just four shot attempts in the final 68 minutes of play, but could not find the equalizer.
Junior Shannon McCabe, who was named the league’s offensive player of the week this past week, had a great chance just a minute after Moore’s goal, however her shot hit the cross bar on a ball from inside the box on the far side in the 23rd minute.
Kansas’ scoring opportunities were few and far between Friday, but had its best chance early in the second half. In the 50th minute, senior Missy Geha found freshman Emily Cressy unmarked in the far corner of the box, however her shot was blocked by a diving Dianna Pfenninger save. On the rebound, junior Monica Dolinsky’s shot in traffic sailed high of the goal.
KU held a 13-10 advantage in shots, however Texas defenders blocked four of them. The Jayhawks also held a 7-4 edge in corner kicks. Dolinsky led the team with five shots, while McCabe chipped in three.
The Jayhawks will look to regroup Sunday with their final home match of the regular season against Baylor at 1 p.m. The team will honor its six-member senior class with a short presentation following the match.
