Kansas Edged 3-2 by West Virginia Sunday

Sunday, September 22

Morgantown, W.Va.

12:00 PM

University of Kansas

West Virginia

Kansas Edged 3-2 by West Virginia Sunday

9/22/2024 3:15:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The Kansas Jayhawks fell on Sunday afternoon 3-2 to the West Virginia Mountaineers at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. Redshirt sophomore Saige Wimes and freshman Shea Ryan each scored goals for the Jayhawks in the defeat.

"Today was a tough one because we were playing short-handed and still gave ourselves a chance to win," head coach Nate Lie said. "Unfortunately, when you make mistakes and give a talented team like West Virginia opportunities they're going to gain confidence and energy. We gave the ball away too much and they made us pay for it by putting the ball in the back of the net. We can't do that. I am proud of our effort and resilience, but we have to be better."

West Virginia (7-2-1, 3-0-0 Big 12) was able to strike first on Sunday. The Mountaineers converted a set piece off a corner kick to take the lead in the 18th minute. Lilly McCarthy served the ball into the box and Ajanae Respass got her head on it and put it into the back of the net for a 1-0 advantage.

Kansas (4-3-3, 1-2-0 Big 12) found the equalizer in the 38th minute. The Jayhawks scored on a set piece off a free kick. Fifth-year Mackenzie Boeve sent the ball towards the back post and graduate Makayla Merlo directed the ball towards the goal with her head that was deflected by the West Virginia goalkeeper into the middle of the box where Wimes was able to clean it up. The goal made it 1-1.

In the 44th minute, West Virginia had a great opportunity off a turnover, but redshirt freshman Sophie Dawe made an outstanding save to keep the game tied at the break. The Jayhawks held a 6-3 edge on shots at the half.

West Virginia went on to build a 3-1 lead in the second half with goals in the 61st and 71st minutes. The goal in the 61st minute was scored by AJ Rodriguez as the ball was deflected to her following a great save by Dawe. Then, in the 71st minute, the Jayhawks turned the ball over at the edge of their box and Abbey Olexa put it past Dawe for a 3-1 advantage.

KU continued to battle despite being down and the hard work paid off in the 86th minute. Merlo sent a corner kick into the box and sophomore Olivia Page directed it towards the goal to Ryan who flicked it over both her head and the goalkeepers head into the top of the goal. That goal made it a 3-2 game with under five minutes to play.

The Jayhawks were unable to find the game-tying goal before time expired. West Virginia outshot Kansas 13-10 and 6-4 in shots on target, while corner kicks were 6-5 in favor of the Mountaineers.

WVU stayed undefeated in conference play and moved to 7-2-1 on the year and 3-0-0 in Big 12 action. Meanwhile, Kansas is now 4-3-3 on the season and 1-2-0 in conference competition.

NOTES
• Wimes scored her third goal of the season.
• Ryan scored her second goal of the season.
• Merlo and Page each recorded their first assists of the season.

UP NEXT
Kansas will be back home at Rock Chalk Park for a Big 12 match against UCF on Thursday, Sept. 26. The match is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and 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.