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KANSAN.COM
SPORTS
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File Photo/KANSAN
Grace Hagan dribbles the ball against Oregon State. Hagan and Kansas will face Tulsa this Saturday.
SKYLAR ROLSTAD
@SkyRolSports
For the first time this preseason, Kansas soccer has the chance to face a comparable opponent.
After losing by lopsided scores to the Kansas men's club team and NWSL champions FC Kansas City, Kansas will face Tulsa this Saturday, in Tulsa, Okla., at 1 p.m.
After the 3-0 loss to FC Kansas City at Rock Chalk Park on March 26, freshman forward Grace Hagan said she was looking forward to facing a team on the same level.
"We understand [FC Kansas City is] a very good team,
but it's a good challenge for us to have," Hagan said, "especially before we're playing some other college teams that we might be able to handle a little bit better than we did this game."
It is certainly too early to tell whether the Jayhawks can improve in 2016. Last season, Kansas missed the NCAA tournament and faltered to a 3-4-1 record in Big 12 play to end the season.
Tulsa, with a 13-6-1 record last season, also missed the tournament. The team went 4-4-1 in the American Athletic Conference, facing lighter competition than Kansas in conference play. The two teams had one opponent in common last season in Oklahoma, which Tulsa lost to 2-1 and Kansas defeated 1-0.
Our challenge is going to be how much offense we can create.I think we've got some personnel coming in that can help with that."
Mark Francis head coach
While one of the most
valuable assets to Kansas last season was a freshman class that contributed right away, the program will be without one of its best players in 2016.
Freshman midfielder Parker Roberts has decided to transfer from the program. With midfielder Liana Salazar, a leading scorer and assist leader, graduating along with forward Ashley Williams, Kansas will depend even more on younger players to contribute to the offense.
With only Salazar, Williams and forward Courtney Dickerson graduating, Kansas has plenty of senior leadership. Seven seniors
are playing their last seasons for Kansas soccer this year. Head coach Mark Francis said this leadership makes for strong defensive play. Of the regular starters at defender last season, all of them are seniors. Defensive midfielders Jackie Georgoulias and Hanna Kallmaier are also seniors.
"I think our strength's definitely going to be defensive organization," Francis said. "They understand what we're trying to do. We're not going to have to reteach them a whole lot. Our challenge is going to be how much offense we can create. I think we've got some personnel coming in that can help with
that."
Francis said his Jayhawks will be more athletic next season. Joining the program for 2016 will be Icelandic midfielder Erna Gogjonsdottir, who looks to be a key attacking player for next season, along with forward Mandi Duggan; midfielders Katie McClure, Elise Reina and Jordan Malone; and defender Addisyn Merrick.
After this weekend's contest against Tulsa, Kansas will have two home matches to conclude its spring exhibition schedule. In the first of these matches, Kansas will host Iowa on April 16 at Rock Chalk Park.
Monday
$3.00 Domestic Bottles
Jumbo Wing Night!
$1.00 Jumbo Wings (4pm-close)
$3.50 Craft Cans
Tuesday
Wednesday
Wine and Dine! $5 bottle of house wine with purchase of large gourmet pizza
Thursday
Papa's Special:
Large Papa Minsky - $14.99
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Friday
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Saturday & Sunday
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