LAWRENCE, Kan. – The UCF women’s soccer team found itself on the wrong end of a 4-0 decision to Kansas on Thursday evening at KU’s Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, Kansas.
KU (5-3-3, 2-2-0) scored a trio of goals in the first half and added another in the second to put the match away. The result marks UCF’s first Big 12 setback of the season, as it falls to 3-2-3 overall and 1-1-1 in league play.
The Jayhawks jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage, as Lexi Watts took advantage of a loose ball in the box in the fifth minute to give KU the early lead.
KU added a goal in the 21st minute as Saige Wimes capitalized on a Black and Gold defensive miscue and the Jayhawks made it 3-0 in the 25th minute when Lauren Wood scored following a blocked shot.
UCF had an opportunity in the 42nd, as senior forward Chloe Netzel had a good look, but the shot sailed high as it remained 3-0 at the half.
In the second half, Netzel had a chance in the 62nd minute when Annika Huhta chipped a ball over the defense to a streaking Netzel, but her shot was saved to keep it a 3-0 game.
Netzel had another opportunity in the 73rd minute when Mia Asenjo fed the senior forward on the left side, but Netzel’s strike was blocked via a team save to keep the Black and Gold off the board.
KU’s Watts added her second goal of the contest in 77th minute for her first brace of the year.
Freshman Edidiong Etim had a late chance for the Black and Gold following a collision at the top of the box in the 86th minute, but the shot sailed just high.
The contest marked the first of three consecutive league matches away from home for the Knights.
UCF will continue the trip with a Big 12 match at Kansas State on Sunday afternoon. Sunday’s contest is set for a 1 p.m. ET/noon CT at K-State’s Buser Family Park in Manhattan, Kansas.