Kansas Soccer Plays BYU to 2-2 Draw

Thursday, October 10

Lawrence, Kan.

06:00 PM

University of Kansas

5-5-4, 2-4-1

BYU

5-5-4, 3-2-2

BYU

Kansas

Kansas Soccer Plays BYU to 2-2 Draw

10/10/2024 9:14:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Nate Lie Postgame Interview

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawks and BYU Cougars played to a 2-2 draw on Thursday night at Rock Chalk Park. Junior Lexi Watts scored a goal for the Jayhawks and redshirt freshman goalkeeper Sophie Dawe had a career-high six saves.

"What I said to the staff is everyone has their different preferences and what they like in college soccer," head coach Nate Lie said. "I like competitiveness, I like grit, heart and two teams really battling. That's the kind of game I enjoy. BYU is an excellent team. They made the final four last year and two of the last four years and you can see why. They're very talented from all lines, very well coached and have a culture of winning. I like those kinds of games because they test you. If you're not ready for a battle and if you're not ready to compete and show up, then you're going to get passed around for 80-90 minutes."

Lie continued, "What I really respect and appreciate from this group, especially after Saturday in what I thought was our most disappointing match of the year, is that we came to compete. We got two tough goals scored against us…We had our backs against the wall twice and we fought back twice…A tie is nothing to celebrate, but I think we poured a lot of effort into those 90 minutes and it's something we can leave the field proud of how we competed."

BYU found the scoreboard first with a goal in the 23rd minute. Following a BYU corner kick, the Cougars were able to control possession. BYU took a shot from the middle of the box that required a save from Dawe, but the rebound went right to BYU's Erin Bailey who tapped it in the goal for a 1-0 lead.

Kansas was able to even up the game only 15 seconds later. Freshman Lauren Wood kicked a deep ball from midfield that went off the head of a BYU defender and into the net for an own goal. That tied up the match at 1-1.

The Cougars were able to find their second goal of the half in the 30th minute. Mackenzee Vance dribbled the ball around the elbow of the box and took a shot that deflected off a KU defender and into the goal. The goal made it 2-1 Cougars.

That 2-1 lead for BYU would hold until halftime. At the half, Kansas and BYU were tied 8-8 on shots. The Jayhawks held a 5-1 edge on corner kicks.

Kansas found the equalizer in the 53rd minute. An errant BYU goal kick found its way to Watts. She was able to dribble the ball past a BYU defender into the box and struck the ball perfectly off the post and into the net. The score made it a 2-2 game.

"All I saw was Saige (Wimes) making the run," Watts said on the goal. "I was either going to play Saige or hit it low, far post and I ended up hitting it low, far post…It felt amazing. Our whole team got momentum from it. We were able to push forward and have intensity through the rest of the half."

Dawe made a couple huge saves in the final 30 minutes to keep the game tied. A final push in the remaining few minutes of the game saw Kansas create opportunities, but the Jayhawks were unable to find the back of the net.

"I trust my defense," Dawe said. "We force them inside so I'm ready. They did a really good job of making it more predictable so that really helped."

BYU held a 14-12 advantage in shots, including 8-4 in shots on goal. Kansas led 5-3 in corner kicks. Both teams are now 5-5-4 overall this season, with Kansas moving to 2-4-1 in Big 12 play and BYU going to 3-2-2 in conference action.

NOTES
• Kansas moved to 4-1-1 all-time against BYU.
• Dawe made a career-high six saves.
• Watts scored her fifth goal of the season. She has scored all five goals in the last seven matches.
• All four goals scored in the match were unassisted.

UP NEXT
Kansas will play its final home match of the season against Utah on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT and the match will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Tickets can be purchased here or by calling the Kansas ticket office at 785-864-3141. Tickets will also be available to purchase at the ticket window at Rock Chalk Park, beginning one hour prior to kickoff.