Columbia, Mo. ? Kansas University freshman Lacey Novak’s first career goal proved to be the game- winner in the Jayhawks’ 2-0 soccer victory Sunday over Missouri at Walton Complex.

“I felt we played well today,” KU coach Mark Francis said after the Jayhawks improved to 11-3-1 overall and 3-2-1 in the Big 12 Conference. “We still missed on two or three chances to make the score a bit more lopsided.”

The match was scoreless until Novak’s goal off a cross from junior Monica Brothers in the 45th minute.

KU added an insurance goal in the 72nd minute when junior Lauren Williams dished to sophomore Caroline Smith, who pushed the ball past Tiger keeper Stephanie Krawczyk for her 14th goal. The assist was Williams’ fifth.

“I think it all came down to the fact that we wanted it more,” Francis said. “When we moved further into the second half, we could tell that our players really wanted to win it.”

With the victory, Kansas now has an advantage of 6 points to 11/2 points over Missouri in the Border War standings.

KU next travels Friday to face Colorado in Boulder, Colo. Match time is 5 p.m. at Pleasant View Soccer Complex.

Tennis

Flushing Meadows, N.Y. — Kansas University’s doubles duo of Kristen Steinbock and Emily Haylock advanced Sunday to the semifinals of the main doubles draw at the USTA College Invitational.

Steinbock and Haylock, the lone remaining Jayhawks in the tourney, will play their semifinal match today against a doubles team from Pennsylvania.

Rowing

Rockford, Ill. — Kansas University’s Laura Adamson and Jennifer Ebel placed second in doubles at the Head of the Rock regatta Sunday.

Beth Olson placed fifth in singles for KU’s rowing team. Also in singles, Kansas’ Kristy Hainer notched ninth, Beth Hickey 10th and Casey Smith 11th.

In doubles, Sarah Smith and Alexis Boston placed fourth, Erin Hennessey and Christine Corbett were fifth and Gillian Van Ruyven and Kris Lazar sixth.

KU’s top boats placed 11th in the open women’s eight and 13th in the open women’s four.

“I think we did pretty well in the singles and doubles competitions, which is what we have been training in,” KU coach Rob Catloth said.

The women will compete at the Head of the Iowa regatta Oct. 26 in Iowa City.