12B - THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
MONDAY,AUG.20,2001
Victory against Bears boosts hopes for season
Incoming players show strong scoring speed in opener
By Ryan Wood Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas soccer team opened its season with a 5-1 exhibition victory over Southwest Missouri State yesterday at Super Target Field.
After trailing 1-0 early, Kansas scored five unanswered goals, four of them in the second half, en route to victory in front of a large crowd including new athletics director Al Bohl.
"It was a total team effort," head coach Mark Francis said. "We're pretty happy with how it went the first game."
The Bears started the scoring in the 29th minute, when forward Mary Litvan poked one past Jayhawk goalkeeper Sarah Gonzalez to take the early lead.
Freshman forward Amy Geha盯 the score with a breakaway goal in the
41st minute. She added another in the 74th minute, completing her impressive debut.
"I thought all the incoming players did very well today," Francis said. "It's not easy your freshman year to come in and play right away. A lot of times it takes a while to adjust, and I thought they all did so very quickly."
The win leaves the Jayhawks optimistic about the season ahead of them, despite being ranked seventh in the Big 12 Conference preseason poll.
Sophomore defender Amanda Williams and freshman forward Monica Brothers scored in the 51st and 52nd minutes, respectively, both on powerful kicks past the outstretched arms of opposing goalkeeper Lexie Stormo. Senior forward Hilla Rantala finished the offensive showcase with a goal of her own in the 80th minute.
"I'd rather be picked seventh than first," Francis said. "If we finish seventh this year, I will be
disappointed."
The Jayhawks hope to improve on their 7-11-2 record with a talented incoming class, which includes two transfers from a strong University of Nebraska program.
"Lacey (Woolf) and Brooke (jones) have played at this level before," Francis said. "They come from a program that's used to winning. They bring that kind of mentality to us which is something that we need."
Francis feels the team has several strengths, despite half the players being new to the program.
"One of our strengths is depth. You can't be successful in our conference without depth." Francis said. "I think our overall team speed this year is very good. That was a big focus on our recruiting this year. You can't coach speed."
Another advantage the Jayhawks have is the return of home games to SuperTarget Field.
"Our field's not great, but we are used to playing on it," Francis said. "Other teams are not used to
"It's not easy your freshman year to come in and play right away.A lot of times it takes a while to adjust, and I thought they all did so very quickly." Mark Francis head soccer coach
it. That's the advantage to being the home team."
The Jayhawks have one more exhibition game on tap, against Bassin Soccer Club at 4 p.m. Saturday at SuperTarget Field. They kick off their regular season Aug. 31 at home against North Texas.
Wood can be reached at 864-4810 or writer@kansan.com
PHOTOS BY LAURIE SISK/KANSAN
Above: Brooke Jones, junior transfer from Nebraska, is tripped as she defends against Natalie Hoogveld, Calgary, Canada, senior, during practice Friday at SuperTarget Field. Left: Freshman reserve goalie Lisa Schmalz reacts a second late to a goal during practice Friday at SuperTarget Field.
PHOTO BY LAURIE SISK/KANSAN
Members of the 2001 Kansas women's soccer team lug one of their goals to SuperTarget Field for practice on Friday. The Jayhawks enter the season ranked seventh in the Big 12 Conference.
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