Kansas Begins Big 12 Play at Home Thursday Against Iowa State

Iowa State (2-3-2) vs. Kansas (2-1-3)
When	Thursday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. CT
Where	Lawrence, Kan. // Rock Chalk Park
Watch	ESPN+
Live Stats	Stats
Game Notes	Kansas \| Iowa State \| Big 12
Tickets	Buy Tickets
Social Media	@KUWSoccer \| @kansassoccer \| Facebook

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawks will host their Big 12 Conference opener on Thursday night at Rock Chalk Park against Iowa State. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT and the match will be broadcast on ESPN+. Fans can purchase tickets for the match by clicking here.

"We're excited for the start of Big 12 play on Thursday," head coach Nate Lie said. "I think our non-conference schedule has helped prepare us for a tough conference schedule ahead. We learned a lot about ourselves over the last month. There are some areas that we're pleased with and others we still need to improve in. That starts on Thursday against a good Iowa State team."

Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Sophie Dawe was named Big 12 Freshman of the Week on Wednesday. Dawe recorded her second career shutout on Sept. 5 at Vanderbilt. This season, Dawe has posted a 0.83 goals against average and played every minute in goal for Kansas. Her goals against average ranks sixth in the Big 12.

Kansas (2-1-3) has held its opponents to 38 fewer total shots through the first six matches this season. In 2023, opponents had 77 total shots compared to 39 total shots combined between the first six games of the season. The Jayhawks have outshot their opponent in each of the last five matches.

KU has clinched its 16th straight season (beginning in 2008) with a .500 winning percentage or better against regular-season non-conference opponents.

ABOUT IOWA STATE
Iowa State (2-3-2) is coming off a 1-0 loss to Northern Colorado despite holding an advantage in shots, saves and corner kicks. This will only be the third road game that Iowa State has played this season. Morgan Furmaniak and Magdalena Keck lead the way offensively for the Cyclones as they have scored seven of the team's 15 goals.

SERIES HISTORY
Kansas leads the all-time series 21-7-3 against Iowa State, including an 11-1-1 mark in Lawrence. Last time KU hosted ISU, the Jayhawks beat the Cyclones 2-0 in the regular season finale to qualify for the Big 12 Championship. Lexi Watts scored both of the KU goals in the victory.

This will be the second time the teams have played in the conference opener, following 2013 when Kansas and Iowa State played to a 0-0 draw in Ames, Iowa, on Oct. 4, 2013.

MATCH PROMOTION
Thursday will be Kansas soccer's mental health awareness game. The Big 12 and its member institutions highlight student-athlete mental health awareness in the fall and spring semesters with a week-long advocacy campaign. Players will be wearing 'Beak the Stigma' shirts during pregame warmups.

Fans coming to the match will receive a limited-edition Sporting Kansas City and University of Kansas rally towel, while supplies last.

HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG
Thursday night's match will be broadcast on ESPN+, with Josh Klingler (play-by-play) and Sarah Gonzalez (analyst) on the call.

Live statistics can be found here, while live updates will also be provided on the team's official X page @KUWSoccer.

UP NEXT
Kansas will host Friends University on Sunday afternoon at Rock Chalk Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 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.

University of Kansas Athletics

Kansas Begins Big 12 Play at Home Thursday Against Iowa State

Players Mentioned

Sophie Dawe

Lexi Watts

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