MANHATTAN, Kan. – With a goal in each half, Kansas State soccer pocketed its first win of the 2019 season and ended an extended winless stretch on Sunday afternoon at Buser Family Park with a 2-0 decision over South Dakota State.
Sunday’s win snapped an overall 12-match winless streak (0-11-1) dating back to the final nine matches of the 2019 season. K-State also snapped an eight-match home losing streak, as K-State’s last home victory before Sunday came on August 23, 2018, against Drake.
Kansas State (1-2-1) recorded six shots on goal in the first half. The Wildcats were unable to convert its first five solid attempts, but tallied the first goal of the match in the 45th minute.
Freshman Jenna Brown popped a ball up into the air, landing in the South Dakota State 18-yard box. The ball bounced high into the air and was deflected by a Jackrabbits defender. The ball then bounced off the ankle of K-State senior Ashley Zane and over the fingertips of South Dakota State goalkeeper Maggie Smither.
The goal was the first of the season for Zane and the fourth of her career. Zane ranks tied for fourth in program history for career goals scored.
South Dakota State (2-2-0) nearly tied the match with 10 seconds remaining in the opening half. Reagan Anderson fired a shot from 25 yards and rang the crossbar with the effort.
Kansas State was able to register a crucial insurance goal in the 58th minute. Freshman Caylee Thornhill brought the ball into the Jackrabbits’ attacking zone. Thornhill then dished to senior Laramie Hall who finished her shot from the right side of the frame roughly 15 yards away.
This was Hall’s fourth career goal and her first since her freshman season in 2016. She also moved into a tie for fourth in program history for career goals. The product of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, ranks fourth in program history for career points with 14.
Senior goalkeeper Emma Malsy registered her second shutout of 2019 and the eighth of her K-State career. Malsy finished with four saves on the afternoon.
For the second straight match, K-State recorded 20 or more shots and held a 23-11 advantage in total shots. The Wildcats held a 12-4 lead in shots on goal. South Dakota State edged past K-State in corner kicks, 5-4.
Kansas State returns to the road, as the Wildcats make their first trip to Southern California. K-State will face CSUN on Friday at 7 p.m. (CT) and Cal State Fullerton on Sunday at 6 p.m. (CT). Both matches will be streamed on Big West.TV. The matches will be available for free at kstatesports.com.
– kstatesports.com –