Soccer loses to Kansas

The team picked up its first conference win against Colorado.

By Ryan Huber

Published Oct. 17, 2006

The MU soccer team wrapped up its home season schedule Sunday with a disappointing loss to Kansas days after the team won its first conference game.

The Tigers were looking to feed off a convincing 3-0 win against Colorado on Friday, but the Jayhawks jumped on board early and never looked back on its way to a 4-0 win.

The win earned three points for Kansas in the Border Showdown, which the Jayhawks now lead 3.0-1.5 after matches in women's soccer and volleyball.

MU has lived and died by the early goal this season, and Sunday, the Jayhawks tallied just seven minutes into the game. Off a missed clearance and blocked shot, Kansas sophomore forward Jessica Bush hit a one-timer that deflected in off the left post.

"We gave up the soft goal early on," coach Bryan Blitz said. "One issue compounds another, and we are down even more."

The second of the four Kansas blows came in the 20th minute on a 20-yard bomb from Kansas midfielder Monica Dolinsky that careened in off the crossbar.

Freshmen Michelle Collins and Kristin Andrighetto combined for several scoring chances throughout the first half, including a header from Andrighetto that Jayhawk goalkeeper Julie Hanley barely snagged.

The Jayhawks went on to score two more second-half goals and wrap up the 4-0 victory.

"We wanted to make sure we came out with the same intensity in the second half because Bryan's teams never give up," Kansas coach Mark Francis said after the game. "Anytime you get a win on the road, you've got to be happy. Obviously for us, it's a good result."

Before the game, the four seniors — Lauren Grice, Aria Hudetz, Meggie Malm and Elyse Nikonchuk — were honored and had their numbers painted on the field.

"They are such a great example of what you want when your freshmen walk in the door," Blitz said. "(They're) what you want your seniors to be."

Friday's match had a much better result for the Tigers as they took down No. 25 Colorado to break a four-game losing streak.

The Buffaloes did not figure out the second-half combination play of the Tiger midfield leading to several corners and goal-scoring opportunities. Andrighetto scored her fifth goal of the season on a bending shot from just inside the 18-yard box to give MU the lead in the 56th minute. Nikonchuk scored minutes later on a rebound from freshman forward Breanna Thornton's shot to give MU a two-goal lead. Thornton struck again in the 83rd minute to wrap up the 3-0 Tiger victory.

The squad finishes the season on the road against Big 12 opponents Texas, Texas A&M and Iowa State. MU must win two of its final three to have a chance to qualify for the Big 12 tournament.