Kansas University forward Kim Boyer, left, collides with Missouri State midfielder Lauren Heck while going for a header. Boyer scored the Jayhawks' only goal, an overtime game-winner, in their 1-0 victory Tuesday at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.

Kansas midfielder Sara Rogers slides in to knock the ball loose from Missouri State midfielder Christine Cross in the first half Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007.

Winless on the season and scoreless in four straight games, Kansas University’s soccer team came into its home game against Missouri State the owner of a pair of dubious streaks. But those dry spells came to an end Tuesday at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex … eventually.

The Jayhawks and Bears were scoreless after 90 minutes, and the contest headed to overtime – KU’s third such game this year – but the Jayhawks (1-5-1) finally got in the win column in the 92nd minute of their seventh game.

Sophomore forward Shannon McCabe passed the ball up the left sideline to Jessica Bush, who made a move past a Bears (4-3) defender and fired the ball into the penalty box. Sophomore forward Kim Boyer gathered the ball and fired it past Missouri State keeper Jackie Jasper for her first career goal and a 1-0 Kansas victory.

“I know I couldn’t have done it without Jess,” Boyer said of Bush’s pass. “It was a perfect ball. All I had to do was place it in.”

When Boyer netted the golden goal, KU’s players and coaches stormed the field with their arms raised in celebration.

“It feels amazing,” Kansas sophomore defender Estelle Johnson said of the team’s dramatic first victory. “I know we all acted like it was the national championship, but I feel like it will be the turning point in our season.”

Boyer said the Jayhawks, who lost to Portland and Washington at the Portland Invitational over the weekend and didn’t arrive home until 1 a.m. Monday, were glad the game and the losing streak didn’t last any longer.

“We were excited to get it finished. We were kind of dragging a little,” Boyer said. “We didn’t want to have to go on with another loss.”

KU coach Mark Francis said he was impressed with his team’s resiliency.

“It wasn’t that pretty at times, but I think it was more of just a test of character today,” Francis said. “Especially going into overtime.”

In the first half the Jayhawks out-shot the Bears 8-1 and had two shots – one each from Kristin Graves and Boyer – go off the post, but Missouri State regrouped and dominated possession much of the second half, when it had seven corner kicks.

The Bears were attacking by getting the ball out wide, so Francis countered by switching the Jayhawks’ formation from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3, which Francis said ended up creating more chances for his team.

“Having more numbers up top helped get more balls forward and helped get more opportunities to score,” Boyer added.

Kansas ended up with 14 shots to Missouri State’s nine.

“It was good that we created as many chances as we did today,” Francis said. “I think that bodes well for us going into the game Friday.”

He said the victory should help the Jayhawks’ confidence heading into a tough weekend slate. KU will play host to No. 25 Illinois on Friday and 20th-ranked California on Sunday.