KU’s Gagnet Helps France Advance to UEFA Cup Final

LLANELLI, Wales – Kansas soccer’s incoming freshman Aurélie Gagnet saw all 90 minutes and helped her U19 French National Team to a 2-1 win over Germany in the UEFA European Cup Semifinals Wednesday. France will now take on either England or Finland in the tournament final on Saturday, Aug. 31.

The Montpellier, France native started Wednesday’s match and played all 90 minutes as her team’s right wing defender. Gagnet’s defense again made it difficult on the opposing offense. France’s second-half substitute Kadidiatou Diani struck twice in the space of three minutes to give her team a lead with less than 30 minutes remaining. Germany added a goal late in the third minute of extra time but the final whistle blew just moments later, giving France its ticket the final. In the five contests in which Gagnet has logged minutes during the UEFA qualifying and tournament matches, the French defense has allowed only two goals.

Gragnet’s French team will now take on the winner of the England-Finland semifinal in the championship match. The final is slated for Saturday, Aug. 31 at 9 a.m. (CT).
 
Gagnet will join the Jayhawks next week and will likely be available for Kansas’ contests against Arizona and Arizona State in the Sun Devil Desert Classic on Sept. 6-8.
 
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