No. 3 Stanford Ousts Kansas Soccer, 5-0

PALO ALTO, Calif. – No. 3 Stanford scored three first-half goals to knock the Kansas soccer team out of the NCAA Tournament, 5-0, Sunday at Cagan Stadium.

The Jayhawks, which advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004, finished the season at 13-8-2. The Cardinal advance to meet Rutgers in the Sweet 16 round of the tournament next weekend in Palo Alto.

Kansas held serve for much of the first half, but the Cardinal scored three goals in an eight-minute span to take control of the match.

In the 35th minute, Stanford took a 1-0 lead on a Kelley O’Hara blast from 25 yards out, curled into the top far corner. O’Hara controlled a feed from Ali Riley just outside the box on the near side and fired home her 12th goal of the season.

Stanford took a 2-0 lead just before halftime with a shot from just inside the box by Hillary Heath. The Cardinal junior received a pass from Riley on the far side of the field and beat Hanley low to the short side.

The Cardinal grabbed a 3-0 lead with three minutes remaining in the half as Camille Levin bent another shot into the upper third of the net from 25 yards out.

Stanford outshot the Jayhawks, 21-7, including 12-3 in the first half. Monica Dolinsky, Missy Geha and Emily Cressy had two shots each. Both of Dolinsky’s shots were on goal.

The Jayhawks advanced to the second round for the third time in school history. Head coach Mark Francis moves to 4-4 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.