MANHATTAN – In the first-ever non-conference match between K-State and Kansas, the Jayhawks came out on top with a pair of second half goals to secure a 2-0 win in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown at Buser Family Park on Saturday night.
“We had some chances, and if we can put one of those away early and we take the first punch as far as scoring the first goal, the game could be different,” said K-State head coach Mike Dibbini on the result. “We had our chances. They had their chances. They got the first one and I knew it was going to come down to whoever scores first was going to get the ‘W’, so hopefully we can build on it and get it rolling next week.”
Following a scoreless first half, K-State (3-7-0, 3-6-0 Big 12) threatened to go in front in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Freshman Maddie Weichel attempted a shot from outside the penalty area on the left side of the field in the 57th minute, which was saved in the middle of the net by Kansas goalkeeper Sarah Peters.
In the 65th minute, 2020 All-Big 12 First Team selection Brookelynn Entz split a pair of Kansas defenders to get inside the Kansas 18-yard box. She put a solid boot into an attempt from 12 yards, but it caught a Jayhawk defender on the heal and deflected out of bounds.
“Honestly, I felt like the second half we played better,” said Entz about the play of the Wildcats in the spring debut. “We had more chances and they opened up the scoring and once that happens, floodgates kind of opened. But I thought we played way better in the second half than I did in the first half. We had the ball more and had more chances.”
Kansas (6-3-1, 5-3-1 Big 12) broke the tie in the 68th minute on a goal by Rylan Childers. The Wildcats misplayed a clearance in its own 18-yard box. The ball fell at the feet of Kailey Lane. She sent a pass across the mouth of the K-State goal from the right post, finding the foot of Childers who won the race to the left post.
The Jayhawks tallied an insurance goal in the 77th minute. Samantha Barnett crossed a ball to the center of the field, 10-yards from K-State’s goal. Shira Elinav put her head on the pass and redirected the ball into the net.
K-State ended the night with eight shots, including three on goal. Kansas notched 12 shots with four on goal. Leading K-State with two shots apiece were Weichel, Kursten von Klahr and Presli Pearson.
Von Klahr made her K-State debut in the starting lineup, the first start of her collegiate career. Von Klahr brought the crowd to its feet in the 11th minute of the first half, as she sent a dart from 25 yards which forced Peters to push the ball over the bar for a K-State corner.
“She did a good job of winning her battles in the middle and creating chances for us and playing with some good composure,” said Dibbini about the transfer from NC State. “I think, as she keeps developing her chemistry with the players, she has a lot more growth that will continue to get better.”
Von Klahr was also pleased with her debut in purple.
“I think we are still getting used to playing with each other, but I really like the effort that we put into tonight. We won a lot of balls and put up a good fight and can only get better from here as we get more comfortable with each other and keep playing.”
K-State will reciprocate the visit from Kansas, with a return trip next Saturday to Rock Chalk Park at noon.
– kstatesports.com –