Kansas Soccer Advances to Big 12 Championship Quarterfinals with Win Over Arizona State
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The University of Kansas women’s soccer team secured its fifth consecutive victory and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Championship after defeating Arizona State 2-1 on Wednesday night at CPKC Stadium. This marks Kansas’s first postseason win since 2019, improving the team’s record to 10-5-4 for the season.
Lexi Watts and Caroline Castans were the standout players, each scoring to ensure the victory. After a tightly contested opening phase, Watts broke the deadlock in the 17th minute with a well-placed shot following assists from Jillian Gregorski and Saige Wimes. Kansas controlled much of the first half, leading to an 11-1 advantage in shots.
In the 58th minute, Castans extended the lead to 2-0 with a stunning strike into the top right corner, showcasing teamwork and strategy. However, Arizona State responded quickly, with Kierra Blundell reducing the deficit just seconds later. Despite the pressure and a late goal from the Sun Devils, Kansas held on to secure the 2-1 win.
"I’m really proud of this team. We’ve come a long way, and it feels great to be back in the tournament," said head coach Nate Lie. He praised his squad’s ability to withstand pressure and adapt throughout the match.
Kansas will now face No. 3-seeded West Virginia on Saturday, November 2, at 8 p.m. CT in the Big 12 quarterfinals. Fans can look forward to supporting the Jayhawks as they aim to continue their successful run in the tournament.
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Photo credit kuathletics.com