McClure's hat trick propels Jayhawks past Cornhuskers, 4-0

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas women’s soccer team kicked off the season with a dominant 4-0 victory over the Nebraska Huskers with the help of a hat trick by senior forward Katie McClure on Thursday night at Rock Chalk Park.

McClure proved to be unstoppable and set a fast pace for Kansas early while displaying both her athleticism and leadership on her way to scoring three goals and recording the first hat trick of her career.

McClure wasted no time and struck almost as soon as the contest began, scoring her first goal of the night on an assist from sophomore Bri Amos in the third minute of the game, giving KU an early 1-0 lead.

The second goal of the contest came from Amos in the ninth minute with both junior Ceri Holland and McClure tallying assists.

After Nebraska slowed down the pace, it was once again McClure who amped it up and found the back of the net in the 25th minute by way of a dazzling shot over the head of the Nebraska keeper. McClure’s second of the contest put the Jayhawks up 3-0 still with 65 minutes to play.

Sophomore goalie Sarah Peters and the KU defense kept the Huskers off of the board just before halftime, making a leaping block in the 41st minute and sending the Jayhawks to the locker room with the shutout intact, 3-0.

After a slow start to the second period, McClure proved to be too much for the Huskers defense to handle, knocking in her third goal of the night and pushing the Jayhawks’ lead to four goals.

McClure’s hat trick is the first of her career and only the ninth in the history of the program. With the performance, McClure moved into a tie with her former teammate, Grace Hagan, for fifth on the all-time scoring list with 25 career goals.

78th minute: 

McClure nets her third goal of the night, good for her first-career hat trick.

41st minute:

Sarah Peters tallies her first save of the year with a leaping block.

25th minute:

McClure sends her second goal of the night over the keeper’s head to give Kansas a 3-0 lead.

9th minute: 

Sophomore Bri Amos knocks in her first career goal to put the Jayhawks ahead 2-0.

3rd minute:

Senior Katie McClure gets the Jayhawks’ season off to a quick start, scoring the first goal.