Kansas coach Mark Francis called Sunday’s match against West Virginia “like so many of the other games in the conference that we have played” in a postgame press release.
Indeed, the Jayhawks went back and forth with the Mountaineers in a fairly even run of play, much as they have in the majority of their seven one-goal losses on the year. But a scoreless first period gave way to a familiar second-half development, as Maya McCutcheon swung a pass from the right side of the box to a well-positioned Dilary Heredia-Beltran, and the Wichita native hit a go-ahead header straight over KU keeper Melania Pasar for a 56th-minute advantage.
The Jayhawks had four additional shots in the remainder of the match, including an ambitious long-range effort on target from Olivia Page that required a leaping save from Kayza Massey. The Mountaineers held firm, though, and sealed a 1-0 result at Rock Chalk Park.
WVU put six of its 12 shots on target; KU got just two of nine.
“I said to the players, I can’t fault anyone on their effort and intensity,” Francis said in the release. “The kids are continuing to fight and show a lot of resilience right now. It’s not easy when you’re playing well and not getting results to be able to keep showing up every day and keep fighting and keep working. This group has shown massive resilience and I’m proud of that.”
The Mountaineers’ Jacey Rase and Julianne Vallerand had three shots each, a number that KU’s Hallie Klanke matched for the game-high total. Pasar made five saves as Massey was needed for just two.
The Jayhawks (3-8-6, 0-7-2 Big 12 Conference) will close their season with a home edition of the Sunflower Showdown on Monday. They sit at last place in the league and will not be able to qualify for one of the 10 spots in the newly expanded Big 12 Soccer Championship.
Angilo Allen/Kansas Athletics
