Herrema, Castans lead Kansas to 2-0 Victory Over Arizona State

Thursday, September 24

Lawrence, Kan.

6 p.m. CT

University of Kansas

7-2-1, 1-0-1

Arizona State

6-2-2, 1-1-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Arizona St.	0	0	0
Kansas	1	1	2

Box Score (PDF)

Photo by: Arun Halder/Kansas Athletics

Herrema, Castans lead Kansas to 2-0 Victory Over Arizona State

9/24/2026 9:03:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Season Stats Nate Lie Postgame Interview Photo Gallery

LAWRENCE, Kan. – A first-half goal from Jocelyn Herrema gave Kansas a lead it wouldn't relinquish on Thursday evening, as the Jayhawks charged to a 2-0 victory over Arizona State in their Big 12 home opener at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence. Caroline Castans netted a goal of her own, while Livvy Moore tallied a pair of assists.

Kansas moved to 7-2-1 (1-0-1 Big 12) this season, while Arizona State fell to 6-2-2 (1-1-0 Big 12).

"We told Livvy before the season that, between her and Caroline, we think we should have the best wing backs in the conference. I think we should have some of the best wing backs in the country," Kansas head coach Nate Lie said postgame. "This is a newer position to her. We moved her there in the middle of last year, I don't think it's something she played beforehand and she's really grown into it. She stops thinking, she knows the different options, she has more confidence on the ball, and she has completely differentiated service with both feet."

Lie continued, "Caroline is unbelievable. She was second in the country last year in assists, but everyone knows she can put it back on the right. I think Livvy works very very hard to be able to deliver with both feet, it makes her really dangerous."

Kansas tallied the first scoring chance of the game in the third minute, when Emily Tobin's shot from a corner sailed just wide of the net. The Jayhawks notched three shots in a scoreless opening 10 minutes.

Arizona State controlled possession in the early parts of the first half, but staunch work from Sophie Dawe and the Kansas defense prevented the Sun Devils from capitalizing on any opportunities.

Both teams spent much of the first half searching for momentum, trading offensive pushes that continually came up empty at the hands of both defenses.

Kansas' breakthrough finally came in the 33rd minute, when Moore found Herrema on a corner. Herrema snuck a low shot just past the diving arms of Arizona State goalkeeper Kennedy Zorn, giving the Jayhawks the first lead of the game.

Herrema's goal was the only of the first half, giving Kansas the advantage at the break.

The Jayhawks continued to pressure Arizona State out of the break, breaking through again when Moore found Castans on a cross, who headed home a second goal into the top left corner past Zorn to double the Kansas lead.

Constant pressure continued to be a theme of the second half through the first 15 minutes of the second. Kansas tallied six shots through the early part of the half, while preventing Arizona State from putting forward any sort of chance.

The Sun Devils tallied a pair of shots midway through the second, drawing Sophie Dawe off her line to make a pair of saves. Minutes later, Arizona State would see its best chance to climb back into the match. Gator DeMark's shot sent Dawe diving to make a stop, before Mechal Green's rebound rattled off the right woodwork. Moore attempted to counterattack, forcing Zorn into a diving save of her own to keep the match at 2-0.

Arizona State continued to search for a goal into the waning minutes of the match, testing Dawe as she continued to keep the Sun Devil attack at bay.

Dawe preserved the shutout in the late moments, securing the 2-0 victory for Kansas.

NOTES

Kansas moved to 7-2-1 on the season.
Kansas won its Big 12 home opener for the first time since 2020.
Kansas has recorded five shoutouts this season.
Kansas held a 12-7 shot advantage over Arizona State.
Kansas registered five corner kicks.
Herrema scored her second goal of the season, and the fourth of her career.
Castans scored her fifth goal of the season, and the 11th of her career. Five goals is a career high in a season for Castans.
Moore tallied her seventh and eighth assists of the season, which leads the Big 12 and is tied for first in the country.

UP NEXT
Kansas will stay at home for the Community Kindness Match in honor of Regan Gibbs, hosting the Arizona Wildcats on Sunday, Sept. 27. Kickoff at Rock Chalk Park is set for 1 p.m. CT, and the game can be seen on ESPN+.