WACO, Texas – K-State looked to string together consecutive wins for the first time in Big 12 action, but Baylor used a trio of second half goals to distance themselves from the visiting Wildcats, 4-0, on Thursday night at Betty Lou Mays Field.
“Baylor is a very physical and aerial team,” said head coach Mike Dibbini. “They are very disruptive and caused us physical problems most of the night. We had chances early in the second half to even the score but couldn’t square the match.
Baylor (2-2-3) struck first in the 27th minute. K-State goalkeeper Alaina Werremeyer made a diving save to push a Lady Bear attempt from distance. On the resulting corner kick, Mackenzie Anthony was on far post and placed a header back toward the near post and bumped it off the frame and in.
In a 10-minute span to open the second half, K-State (1-5-0) fired off five shots with Bailey Nemechek’s attempt in the 55th minute the only one to force Baylor goalkeeper to making a diving save toward the lower left corner.
The Bears boosted its lead to 2-0 in the 65th minute. An Anthony shot was saved on a diving attempt by Werremeyer. With Werremeyer on the ground, Elizabeth Kooiman collected the loose ball and crossed a pass to a wide-open Taylor Moon for a header.
Moments later, Baylor increased its lead to 3-0. On a free kick, the ball was bounced into the air by a Bear. The ball fell to Giuliana Cunningham, who took a side kick at the floating orb and found space inside the left post.
Baylor provided the final margin in the 88th minute. A turnover from the Wildcats 25 yards from their own goal rolled to the feet of Cunningham. Cunningham stepped forward and blasted a shot that deflected off a K-State defender and found the upper left corner of the net.
Werremeyer made six saves on the night for K-State. This was her second match this season with five or more saves.
K-State (1-5-0) attempted a season-high 11 shots, including 10 in the second half. The Wildcats were able to put only two on goal which were credited to Nemechek and Maddie Souder. Baylor attempted 24 shots with 10 on goal. The Bears tallied a 7-6 edge in corner kicks.
K-State returns to Buser Family Park on Sunday afternoon to host fifth-ranked TCU at 12 p.m. Tickets are available by calling (800) 221-CATS or by visiting kstatesports.com/tickets.
Sunday’s match will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and available for free at kstatesports.com.
– kstatesports.com –