Photo courtesy of KU AthleticsAfter an atypical calendar last year that included matches in February, March and April instead of playing all of the season in the fall, the University of Kansas soccer team is set to return to a more normal schedule, beginning with Friday’s home exhibition versus Kansas City.
The Jayhawks, who finished 6-4-3 in 2020-21, are bringing back six players who started 10 or more times during the stretched out season: senior goalkeeper Sarah Peters, senior forward Kailey Lane, senior defenders Kaela Hansen and Grace Wiltgen, senior midfielder Rylan Childers, sophomore midfielder Kate Dreyer and sophomore defender Moria Kelley.
“I like this group. They have a great mentality and great attitude,” said KU head coach Mark Francis, who is about to begin his 23rd season leading the program. “Their work ethic has been good. They are a really, really coachable group, especially the younger players. The level has gotten better every day.”
In the fall of 2020, when the Jayhawks played all of their conference games, they went 5-3-1 in the Big 12. After opening the season with a road win at Texas, KU appeared in the United Soccer Coaches poll every week that followed in the fall. The Jayhawks ascended to No. 5 in early October, giving the program its highest ranking in its history.
The Jayhawks’ one preseason tuneup on this year’s schedule is set to begin at 7 p.m. at Rock Chalk Park, with free admission for fans.
KU’s exhibition comes against a Kansas City squad coached by former KU forward Jessica Smith, who played for Francis from 2002-05. She also served as an assistant on Francis’ KU staff from 2011-15.
“It’s great to see former players who move into coaching,” Francis said. “For Jess to move on to the Division I level is a complement to our program.”
The Jayhawks open the regular season on Aug. 19 at home versus Drake.
Fri. — Kansas City (exhibition)
Aug. 19 — Drake
Aug. 22 — Wisconsin
Aug. 26 — St. Louis
Aug. 29 — Iowa
Sept. 2 — at Memphis
Sept. 5 — at Arkansas State
Sept. 9 — Cincinnati
Sept. 12 — Washington State
Sept. 16 — at Dartmouth
Sept. 19 — at Harvard
Sept. 23 — at TCU
Sept. 26 — at Oklahoma State
Sept. 30 — Kansas State
Oct. 3 — at Iowa State
Oct. 7 — Baylor
Oct. 10 — West Virginia
Oct. 14 — at Oklahoma
Oct. 22 — at Texas Tech
Oct. 28 — Texas
