THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2013
PAGE 9
Kansas soccer hopes to continue improvements on the road
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Stroud boots the ball upfeild during the October 2011 game against Baylor. Stroud was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week and currently leads the conference with 44 saves. FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
STELLA LIANG
sliang@kansan.com
Momentum for the Kansas soccer team is shifting in a positive direction as the team heads to California Friday for a match against the Santa Clara Broncos (4-3-1). Kansas (5-4-1) swept its two opponents last weekend after having a three-game losing streak. Coach Mark Francis said he hopes his team will build on last weekend's success.
we definitely made some improvements in a lot of the areas we've been working on, so that's encouraging." Francis said. "We have to continue to look to get better every day."
Kansas faces a tough opponent in Santa Clara. Despite their three losses, the Broncos are ranked ninth in the first RPI poll of the season put out by the NCAA this week. They have earned their ranking by playing a tough schedule. They have already faced four other teams in the top 15: No. 3 Virginia, No. 4 North Carolina, No. 6 Stanford and No. 14 Maryland. Santa Clara's only victory in those matches was against Maryland.
Santa Clara is coming off a 3-2 loss in double overtime to Stanford on Sept. 22. In the 108th minute of the game, Stanford scored the winning goal. For the season, senior midfielder Julia Johnston is leading the team with five goals. Close behind is senior forward Morgan Marlborough with four. Their goalkeeper, sophomore Andi Tostanoski, has a save percentage of 81 percent with 42 saves this season.
Kansas, which is ranked 100 in the RPI poll, knows that Santa Clara will pose a challenge.
"Santa Clara is a very good
team," Francis said. "We are going to have to play well to compete, and I think we are definitely capable of that."
Junior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Stroud played a big role in the team's recent success, and the conference took notice. Stroud was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after making three saves on Sept. 20 and shutting out Illinois State on Sept. 22 with seven saves. She is currently the conference leader in saves with 44.
"It's really exciting for KU to get recognized," Stroud said. "We've worked really hard this past weekend and something that we as a defense were really focusing on was getting those shutouts."
Kansas closes out its nonconference portion of the schedule Friday before turning its attention to the Big 12. The team has played well at times, and not well at others. The Jayhawks have shut out teams and have been blown out.
"Overall I would say we have been a little bit inconsistent," Francis said. "I think the nonconference has been good. We have played some good teams, and its been a learning experience for us."
Francis said specifically the Arizona State game, where Kansas lost 4-0, brought to light some defensive weaknesses that could be fixed. Other losses, he said, were just frustrating where his team dominated the play, but couldn't convert opportunities.
Kansas will face Santa Clara on the road Friday at 9 p.m. For the first time this season, the Jayhawks will not play a second game over the weekend. The first conference game is against Iowa State on Oct.4.
Edited by Hannah Barling
JAYHAWKS AROUND THE WORLD HOMECOMING 2013
**Monday**
**Sept. 30**
Lawrence for Literacy - Book Drive
Passport: Jayhawks Around Campus
3 vs. 3 Basketball Tournament
Tuesday Chalk 'n' Rock Oct.1 Lawrence for Literacy - Book Drive Passport: Jayhawks Around Campus 3 vs. 3 Basketball Semifinals/Finals Jayhawk Jingles Dress Rehearsals Glow KU Judging
Wednesday Mural Contest Oct. 2 Lawrence for Literacy - Book Drive Passport: Jayhawks Around Campus Homecoming Food Fest featuring Jayhawk Jingles
**Thursday**
**Oct. 3**
Lawrence for Literacy - Book Drive
Passport: Jayhawks Around Campus
Homecoming Parade
Homecoming Pep Rally
Friday Pancakes ($5 per person)
Oct. 4 Passport: Jayhawks Around Campus
Late Night in the Phog
Saturday Ex.C.E.L. Award Presentation
Oct. 5 KU vs. Texas Tech football game
Ex.C.E.L. and Homecoming Awards
Alumni Center
KU Campus
Student Rec Fitness Center
Wescoe Beach
Alumni Center
KU Campus
Student Rec Fitness Center
Alumni Center
KU Campus/Lawrence Community
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
5-11 p.m.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
5-9 p.m.
6-8 p.m.
7 p.m.
Wescoe Beach
Alumni Center
KU Campus
Alumni Center
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
6-9 p.m.
Alumni Center Parking Lot KU Campus Allen Fieldhouse
Alumni Center
KU Campus
Massachusetts Street
8th and New Hampshire Street
Alumni Center
Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
6 p.m.
6:45 p.m.
9 a.m. - Noon
10 a.m. -2 p.m.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
11 a.m.
haltime presentation
Visit www.homecoming.ku.edu for schedule updates.