Des Moines, Iowa ? Junior Erin Ellefson and freshman Whitney Berry recorded goals, and red-shirt freshman goalkeeper Kat Liebetrau posted a shutout in her first collegiate start as Kansas University held off Drake, 2-0, in the Jayhawks’ season-opener Sunday at Drake Stadium.
Kansas won its first match of the season for the third time in the last four years. The Bulldogs fell to 1-1.
The Jayhawks held Drake to just one shot on goal, a blast from 25 yards out midway through the second half.
The Jayhawks scored first late in the first half, as Ellefson tallied her second career goal. The third-year midfielder took a long cross from fellow junior Lauren Jackson deep in the box, and after a spin move, fired a shot into the near side of the goal at 40:50.
Early in the second half, KU put the game away as Berry and senior Shannon McCabe combined for a goal. After a pass to the far side of the box by Berry, McCabe fired a shot that was deflected by a defender. However, the ball found Berry’s foot as the freshman tapped it in at 57:04 to increase the lead to 2-0.
The Kansas backline held the Bulldogs to just six shots on the day.
KU’s offense was paced by Berry’s five shots, two of which were on net. As a team, the Jayhawks outshot the Bulldogs, 17-6.
Kansas will face Pepperdine at 4:30 p.m. Friday in Knoxville, Tenn. The contest will be part of the Lady Vol Invite.