Kansas University may have opened its soccer season against Creighton, but the Jayhawks do not want to end their season against the Bluejays.
That’s possible if the Bluejays knock off KU in a first-round NCAA regional match today at Jayhawk Soccer Complex.
First kick is expected to be about 2 p.m., but will depend on the duration of the 11:30 a.m. opener between Nebraska and Oral Roberts.
KU began the best soccer season in school history Aug. 21 with a 6-1 exhibition triumph over Creighton.
“That seems like so long ago,” KU coach Mark Francis said.
“We’re a lot different team, and they are, too.”
Creighton definitely is a different team than the one KU faced in August because the Bluejays did not have their best player or their top goalkeeper that day. CU coach Bruce Erickson did not use Ivonne Valentine, the Jays’ lone first-team all-Missouri Valley Conference player, or goalie Valerie Zimmerer.
Zimmerer, a red-shirt freshman, didn’t make her collegiate debut until CU’s 10th match. Since, she has posted an impressive 0.72 goals-against average.
Still, there’s no question the Jayhawks, seeded No. 8 in the 64-team tourney, are the heavy favorite. In fashioning a 17-4 record and earning a piece of the Big 12 Conference championship, Kansas has outscored its opponents 43 goals to 10. Creighton (9-7-4) has scored 36 goals and given 26.
This is tournament time, however, and previous numbers are meaningless.
“We beat them 6-1 and they’re going to be fired up,” Francis said. “It’s a new game with a lot more on the line.”
The Jayhawks must avoid looking ahead to a probable rematch with Nebraska, one of the four teams to defeat the Jayhawks during the regular season. The Cornhuskers posted a 1-0 victory Sept. 24 at JSC.
“Right now we are concerned with Creighton,” KU senior goaltender Meghan Miller said, “because if we don’t beat them, our season is over anyway.”
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Notes: Parking could be tight with school in session. KU officials advise using the parking facility north of Allen Fieldhouse. JSC seats only 800, but there is plenty of standing room … Because JSC does not have lights, Kansas is the only one of the 16 NCAA first- and second-round sites not staging a night game. … Four Creighton players are from Kansas — Katie Brennan (Leavenworth), Courtney Luschen (Overland Park Aquinas), Sam Russell (Blue Valley West) and Lissa Waid (Olathe East). … Brennan was named MVP of last weekend’s Missouri Valley Conference tournament. … Kansas ranks fifth nationally in goals against and shutout percentage. Thirteen of the Jayhawks’ 17 wins have been whitewashes.
When: 2 p.m. today.Where: Jayhawk Soccer Complex.Records: Kansas 17-4, Creighton 9-7-4. |