Kansas Soccer Keeps Postseason Hopes Alive with Win Over Iowa State

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Senior midfielder Monica Dolinsky’s penalty kick in the 55th minute lifted Kansas past Iowa State, 1-0 Sunday at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex as the Jayhawks stayed alive for the Big 12 Soccer Championship.

The win moves KU to 11-7-1 overall and 3-6 in the Big 12. Kansas will need a win next Friday against Missouri and a loss by either Baylor or Texas Tech to earn the team’s 10th consecutive invite to the Big 12 Championship in San Antonio, Texas. The Cyclones were eliminated from postseason play, falling to 7-8-4 and 2-7 in conference play.

Kansas thoroughly dominated play throughout the contest, outshooting the visitors 25-7. However, the Jayhawks could not gain the advantage on the scoreboard until sophomore Emily Cressy was taken down in the box after beating her defender down the far side of the field.

Dolinsky buried the ensuing penalty kick with a low shot to the far side of the goal at 53:40, giving the Jayhawks a 1-0 lead. It was the senior’s sixth goal of the season and 23rd of her career.

The Jayhawk defense held Iowa State to just three shots on net. The Cyclones best chance to tie the match came in the 76th minute when play on the left side of the box got KU goalkeeper Kat Liebetrau off her line. However, Amanda Nimtz’s shot from the far side of the box was knocked down and cleared away by Lauren Jackson in front of the net.

Liebetrau did make a pair of saves in the match to earn her third shutout of the season.

Kansas had several opportunities to stretch their lead, however Iowa State goalkeeper Ann Gleason made eight saves in a losing effort.

Dolinsky led the Kansas attack with six shots, while freshman Shelby Williamson and Cressy each chipped in four.

The Jayhawks will face No. 23 Missouri in the final match of the regular season next Friday at 3 p.m. at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex. Missouri wrapped up the Big 12 regular season title Sunday with a win over Nebraska.