RCW: A look back 3.7

Rock Chalk Weekly takes a weekly look back into the archives of the Booth Hall of Athletics to deliver interesting artifacts and the fascinating stories behind them. Explore Kansas history and tradition inside this edition.

This week, let’s take a Look Back at an artifact on exhibit in the Booth Family Hall of Athletics: a signed soccer ball from the 2003 NCAA Women’s College Cup.  In 2003, the Kansas soccer team went 18-6-1 overall and made the program’s second NCAA Tournament appearance.  It took two wins from Illinois State and Missouri before losing at No. 2-seed UCLA in the third round.

In 2003, Kansas soccer reached new heights under head coach Mark Francis’ leadership. In addition to the Sweet 16, the Jayhawks posted a 6-3-1 record in the Big 12 to finish third. Along with the team accomplishments, several players were honored for their efforts during the 2003 campaign, including Caroline Smith being named to several All-America teams as well as Holly Gault being selected as a Freshman All-American by Soccer Buzz. With Francis’ help, KU’s players etched their names in the record book, as Smith became the program’s all-time leader in goals, points and game-winning goals and Miller set the school mark in career shutouts and career GAA.