Duggan’s winner lifts Jayhawks over Pittsburgh, 2-1

LAWRENCE, Kan. – With less than 10 minutes to play in regulation, freshman Mandi Duggan scored her third goal of the season and eventual game-winner to help the Kansas Jayhawks top the Pittsburg Panthers, 2-1, Friday night at Rock Chalk Park. Sophomore Grace Hagan tallied the assist on Duggan’s goal as well as a penalty kick goal in the first half.

The win moved the Jayhawks to 4-2-1 for the season, while Pittsburgh fell to 1-5-1.

“I don’t think we played especially well tonight, but we made plays when it mattered,” said head coach Mark Francis. “It was great to see our players fight until the end and score that goal in the last 10 minutes. Pittsburgh is a well-coached, tough team so this is a good result for us.”

Hagan posted her second-straight three point game, which started with the penalty kick late in the first half. Senior Ashley Pankey was taken down inside the Pitt box while on the attack. The foul was called and Hagan stepped up to the spot before finding the back for the third time this season. Hagan tallied six more shots throughout the rest of the night, setting a new career best.
Sophomore Grace Hagan netted her third goal of the season on a PK in the 38th minute.The Panthers found an equalizer in the 57^th minute when a Jayhawk misplay at the top of the KU box gave Panther striker Christiana Davey an open look at goal, which she took advantage of, slotting it home past Jayhawk keeper Maddie Dobyns.

Both squads fought hard during the remainder of the second frame, but it was the Jayhawks who came up with the go-ahead goal in the waning minutes of the match.

Twenty-five seconds into the 81^st minute, Hagan fought hard to win a loose ball near the Panther end line. The Wichita product sent a low pass across the face of the Pitt goal to a wide-open Duggan at the far post, who was able to tap in her third game-winning goal of the season.

Kansas withstood some frantic Panther attacks over the final nine minutes of play but held on for its fourth win of the year. A fifth unbeaten result in the last six outings.

The Jayhawks set the offensive tone for the night, totaling 22 shots, which tied a season-high, and eight on target. The KU back line also held Pittsburg to only six attempts during the entire 90 minutes of play. Behind Hagan’s seven shots, senior Morgan Williams and Pankey each notched three shots. Seven other Jayhawks also recorded shots against the Panthers.

The Jayhawks will be on the road until the beginning of Big 12 conference play. First stop is in Kansas City, Missouri, to take on the UMKC Kangaroos on Sunday, September 11 at 7 p.m. The next stop will be the USC Trojans on September 16.

KUAthletics.com: The official online source for Kansas Athletics, Williams Education Fund contributions, tickets, merchandise, multimedia, photos and much, much more.