Jayhawks strike early, hold on late to top Marquette, 1-0
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Freshman Mandi Duggan’s first career goal less than 20 minutes in proved to be the difference as Kansas claimed its first victory of 2016 after beating Marquette, 1-0, Sunday night at Rock Chalk Park. The win moved the Jayhawks to 1-1-0 after the first weekend of play, while the Golden Eagles dropped to 0-2-0.
“Everyone who stepped on the field tonight brought energy and I think that was the difference in the game,” said head coach Mark Francis. “Marquette is a good team and they can really take it to you if you give them time and space and I thought we did a good job of taking that away from them tonight. This was a good test for us and we’re really happy to come out with the win.”
After conceding its first goal within the first 20 minutes of play in its 2-1 loss to Minnesota Friday night, Kansas flipped the script Sunday by jumping on its opponent with an early goal. In the 19th minute, senior defender Morgan Williams found space down the right side of the field and unleashed a long, curling cross into the heart of the Marquette box. Luckily for Williams and the Jayhawks, Duggan was in a perfect position to connect on a header that leaped passed the Eagle goal keeper and into the back of the net.
Freshman Mandi Duggan headed home her first career goal in the 19th minute against Marquette Sunday night.The goal was the first of Duggan’s young collegiate career and gave the Jayhawks a 1-0 edge less than midway through the opening period.
The Jayhawks continued to take it to the visitors but were unable to put in a second goal over the remainder of the match. Kansas outshot Marquette by a tally of 16-7, which included the Jayhawks putting seven of those shots on frame.
The final five minutes were a tense affair with the Eagles throwing numbers forward in hopes of sending in a late equalizer. The Kansas backline held firm and closed out the Jayhawks’ first win of the 2016 campaign as well as its first shutout.
For the second-straight match a host of Jayhawks got into the offensive action. Eleven KU players tallied at least one shot, which junior Lois Heuchan and freshman Katie McClure posting three shots apiece.
Junior goalkeeper Maddie Dobyns only needed to make one save en route to notching her seventh-career shutout.
UP NEXT
The Jayhawks will return to their home pitch on Friday, Aug. 26 when they host former Big 12 foe Colorado. KU and CU will meet for the second time since the Buffaloes joined the Pac-12 and the first time in Lawrence. Kickoff from Rock Chalk Park is slated for 7 p.m.
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