No. 25 Kansas Claims Season Opener 5-2 Against Missouri State

Thursday, August 14

Lawrence, Kan.

7 p.m. CT

University of Kansas

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Missouri State

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Missouri St.

Kansas

No. 25 Kansas Claims Season Opener 5-2 Against Missouri State

8/14/2025 10:13:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – No. 25 Kansas soccer had its offense rolling in a 5-2 victory against Missouri State on Thursday night in the season opener at Rock Chalk Park. Sophomore Jillian Gregorski scored two goals, while senior Lexi Watts, junior Caroline Castans and freshman Faith Johnston each added their first goals of the season. The five goals were the most in program history in a season opener.

"I was proud of the team for coming out on the front foot," Kansas coach Nate Lie said. "Goals change games. I think we have some players now that have the quality to consistently produce. I believe the first goal was Jill's. We have Caroline play a service that not many people in the country can play to the far post over the goalkeeper. That's why she has got all the hype behind her this year. She's not one to let it get to her."

Lie continued, "Jill is coming for some goals this year and is one of the only few players on our team that you can get to that spot and then finish through with the header. Lexi's quality on her second goal, again, not too many people can do that in this conference, on this team. To get that two goal cushion through three pretty impactful players I think really set us off on the front foot. I was proud of the team and how the stuff that we stressed in the scout and the stuff that was stressed this past in training showed up on the field."

Kansas (1-0) got the scoring started early as Gregorski tallied the first goal of the season in the seventh minute with a header off a cross from Castans. Watts made it 2-0 after getting past the Missouri State defense and beating the keeper in the 19th minute of the match. Johnston scored her first collegiate goal late in the first half in the 39th minute to make it 3-0 at halftime.

The Jayhawks kept the momentum strong into the second half, as Castans took a pass from sophomore Kate Langfelder and hooked the ball into the back of the net to score the fourth goal of the game. Missouri State responded less than a minute later, as Maggie O'Keefe scored a quick goal off a pass from Riley Smith to make it a 4-1 game.

Kansas kept pushing the ball though, as Gregorski scored her second goal of the game in the 61st minute on a rebound off the goalkeeper on a shot by Jordan Rowan. The goal marked Gregorski's third multi-goal game in her career.

The Bears netted another goal, as Abby Hansen scored her first goal of the season in the 80th minute to make the match 5-2.

Kansas outshot Missouri State 23-5 and 12-3 in shots on goal. The Jayhawks were led in shots by Johnston with five, followed by Gregorski with four. Kansas also had 12 corner kicks compared to only one for Missouri State.

NOTES
• Kansas scored five goals in the match, marking the most goals that KU has ever scored in a season opener. The Jayhawks' previous high for goals in an opener was four, which KU accomplished in 2001, 2003 and 2019. Last season, Kansas needed three games to score five goals.
• Kansas improved to 16-11-4 all-time in season openers, including 5-1-2 in the past eight seasons. The Jayhawks also moved to 17-10-4 in home openers and 5-4-3 at Rock Chalk Park.
• Kansas had 26 players log minutes, which included 12 players making their Kansas debut.
• Gregorski scored two goals, marking her third career multi-goal game.
• Johnston scored her first career goal in her first career game.

UP NEXT
Kansas will stay at home to play South Dakota State on Sunday afternoon at Rock Chalk Park. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN+. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here or by calling the Kansas ticket office at 785-864-3141.