Kansas forward Brie Severns scored in her return from injury and the Jayhawks sent nine shots on goal to South Dakota State’s two, but the Jackrabbits converted on both those opportunities and won 2-1 in an exhibition match at Rock Chalk Park Friday afternoon.
SDSU’s Maya Hansen, the reigning Summit League offensive player of the year, and fellow super-senior Reagan Anderson netted on either side of the halftime break, with Hansen beating returning starting goalkeeper Melania Pasar and Anderson putting one past Hayven Harrison.
Severns entered as a substitute at halftime and converted against backup goalie Jocelyn Tanner in the 69th minute to bring the Jayhawks close, but they were unable to equalize. Mia Wildeman denied Severns and freshman defender Olivia Page in the final minutes to preserve the Jackrabbits’ victory.
SDSU spent much of the early play on the back foot, as KU took six shots, four requiring saves from Emma Knack, before the Jackrabbits even got one. But after Avery Murdzek sent a ball goalward for the first time in the 17th minute, Hansen converted just 49 seconds later.
KU had three corner kicks in the first 27 minutes but neither team managed much more offensive traction prior to the halftime whistle. However, following wholesale changes at halftime for both squads and following a pair of Jayhawk fouls, Anderson doubled the Jackrabbits’ lead on an assist by Katherine Jones less than two minutes after the interval.
In all, KU was charged with 16 fouls on the afternoon to SDSU’s six.
The Jayhawks gave playing time to 21 different players from their roster of 25, and all but one of those took the field for at least half an hour. North Carolina transfer Hallie Klanke, who missed the 2022 season due to injury, started and led KU with three shots in her 55 minutes. Kate Dreyer and Moira Kelley got the largest portions of playing time for the Jayhawks.
Pasar and Harrison played a half each but neither officially recorded a save; SDSU’s three keepers combined for seven.
The Jackrabbits finished last season ranked No. 59 in the NCAA’s RPI power index, while KU came in at No. 107.
With the exhibition out of the way, KU will open its season Thursday at Wisconsin.
Chance Parker/Journal-World photo
