Completed Event: Women's Soccer at Iowa State on October 10, 2025 , Win , 3, to, 1
Final
Women's Soccer
3
at Iowa State
1
Sunday, October 13
Lawrence, Kan.
12:00 PM
University of Kansas
6-5-4, 3-4-1
2
vs
0
Utah
6-5-4, 3-3-2
1
2
F
Utah
0
0
0
Kansas
0
2
2
Kansas Blanks Utah 2-0 on Senior Day
10/13/2024 3:17:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas soccer won its regular season home finale on Senior Day by defeating the Utah Utes 2-0 on Sunday afternoon at Rock Chalk Park. Freshman Jillian Gregorski scored the game-winning goal in the 56th minute and redshirt freshman Sophie Dawe recorded her fourth shutout of the season.
"Good four points this weekend," head coach Nate Lie said. "Very important four points. We're disappointed that we didn't bring more success and more victories to Rock Chalk Park. The fans have been really great all season. I'm glad we could finish out on the right note. Between the game on Thursday and this game, I think we as a program have a lot to be proud of. Very good opponent in Utah. They're extremely well coached. Very comfortable in possession and rotations and provide a real challenge."
Lie continued, "The game was searching for a goal. We knew we needed one. Jill has been in a little bit of a drought after she scored a bunch of goals, but she is probably the most likely to get up and win a header and she did that very brave with the goalkeeper coming out. I think that really helped changed the game and settle us down. The second goal was right in my perfect world DNA. When other people watch it, they will say Utah made a mistake and passed the ball in their own goal. We as a program, I specifically, believe that we caused that and that's part of what we do. I love when our identity shows up…It was a really solid, if not a spectacular day."
The first half saw Kansas with a couple opportunities, but the Jayhawks were unable to convert. At the half, the teams were tied 0-0. Kansas led 9-3 in shots at the break.
Kansas broke the scoreless tie in the 56th minute. On a throw in, the ball went to Makayla Merlo who passed it over to Mackenzie Boeve for a service into the middle of the box. Gregorski won a header and flicked the ball into the net. The goal gave Kansas a 1-0 lead.
"It was a great team win," Gregorski said. "I'm happy to help the team win. We're going to need all the points we can get. We are still trying to get into the tournament. Four points this week has been really positive. The goal built up our momentum and our confidence."
The Jayhawks were able to add another goal in the 76th minute. For a second straight game, Kansas forced the opponent into an own goal. That pushed the Kansas lead to 2-0.
"Pretty special," Boeve said on her final game at Rock Chalk Park. "Obviously, pretty emotional. It's been really special playing here and I'm going to miss it a lot. I hope these girls cherish every minute of it because it's a really special place."
Kansas held a 20-7 advantage on shots, including 6-1 for shots on target. KU also had four corner kicks compared to zero for Utah. Kansas improved to 6-5-4 on the season and 3-4-1 in Big 12 play, while Utah fell to 6-5-4 this year and 3-3-2 in conference action.
NOTES
• Kansas now has three conference wins this season, its most since the 2020 season.
• Kansas has won its final home game each of the last three seasons.
• Gregorski scored her team-high sixth goal of the season.
• Merlo tallied her third assist of the season.
• Boeve collected her first assist of the season.
UP NEXT
Kansas will close out the 2024 regular season with three matches on the road. The Jayhawks will spend the week in Arizona with a match against Arizona on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 9 p.m. CT and a contest at Arizona State on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. CT.
Gallery: (10-13-2024) Soccer vs Utah
"Good four points this weekend," head coach Nate Lie said. "Very important four points. We're disappointed that we didn't bring more success and more victories to Rock Chalk Park. The fans have been really great all season. I'm glad we could finish out on the right note. Between the game on Thursday and this game, I think we as a program have a lot to be proud of. Very good opponent in Utah. They're extremely well coached. Very comfortable in possession and rotations and provide a real challenge."
Lie continued, "The game was searching for a goal. We knew we needed one. Jill has been in a little bit of a drought after she scored a bunch of goals, but she is probably the most likely to get up and win a header and she did that very brave with the goalkeeper coming out. I think that really helped changed the game and settle us down. The second goal was right in my perfect world DNA. When other people watch it, they will say Utah made a mistake and passed the ball in their own goal. We as a program, I specifically, believe that we caused that and that's part of what we do. I love when our identity shows up…It was a really solid, if not a spectacular day."
The first half saw Kansas with a couple opportunities, but the Jayhawks were unable to convert. At the half, the teams were tied 0-0. Kansas led 9-3 in shots at the break.
Kansas broke the scoreless tie in the 56th minute. On a throw in, the ball went to Makayla Merlo who passed it over to Mackenzie Boeve for a service into the middle of the box. Gregorski won a header and flicked the ball into the net. The goal gave Kansas a 1-0 lead.
"It was a great team win," Gregorski said. "I'm happy to help the team win. We're going to need all the points we can get. We are still trying to get into the tournament. Four points this week has been really positive. The goal built up our momentum and our confidence."
The Jayhawks were able to add another goal in the 76th minute. For a second straight game, Kansas forced the opponent into an own goal. That pushed the Kansas lead to 2-0.
"Pretty special," Boeve said on her final game at Rock Chalk Park. "Obviously, pretty emotional. It's been really special playing here and I'm going to miss it a lot. I hope these girls cherish every minute of it because it's a really special place."
Kansas held a 20-7 advantage on shots, including 6-1 for shots on target. KU also had four corner kicks compared to zero for Utah. Kansas improved to 6-5-4 on the season and 3-4-1 in Big 12 play, while Utah fell to 6-5-4 this year and 3-3-2 in conference action.
NOTES
• Kansas now has three conference wins this season, its most since the 2020 season.
• Kansas has won its final home game each of the last three seasons.
• Gregorski scored her team-high sixth goal of the season.
• Merlo tallied her third assist of the season.
• Boeve collected her first assist of the season.
UP NEXT
Kansas will close out the 2024 regular season with three matches on the road. The Jayhawks will spend the week in Arizona with a match against Arizona on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 9 p.m. CT and a contest at Arizona State on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. CT.
Team Stats
UTA
KAN
Goals
0
2
Shots
7
20
Shots on Goal
1
6
Saves
5
1
Corners
0
4
Fouls
11
14
Scoring Plays
Jillian Gregorski (6)
Assisted By: Mackenzie Boeve , Makayla Merlo
GOAL by KAN Gregorski, Jillian Assist by Boeve, Mackenzie and Merlo, Makayla.
55:46
0
GOAL by KAN TEAM.
75:25
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
fwd
Shots
9
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
DEF
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerMID
/ Women's SoccerMID
/ Women's SoccerThe Jayhawker Podcast ft. Saige Wimes, Before Her Final Senior Night
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Kansas Soccer at Utah Highlights
Monday, October 27
Kansas Soccer at BYU Highlights
Friday, October 24
Nate Lie Postgame Interview vs. Cincinnati
Sunday, October 19