Kansas women’s soccer tops Iowa State 2-0 to earn a spot at Big 12 tourney

photo by: Photo courtesy of Kansas Athletics

Members of the Kansas soccer team celebrate a goal by freshman Lexi Watts during the Jayhawks' 2-0 win over Iowa State in the regular season finale on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, at Rock Chalk Park.

Two goals from freshman Lexi Watts led the Kansas women’s soccer team to a 2-0 win over the Iowa State Cyclones and into this weekend’s Big 12 Championship tournament in Round Rock, Texas.

It will mark KU’s first appearance in the postseason event since winning it in 2019.

“I told the group when I talked to them, you really find out the character of people when things don’t go the way you planned or things don’t go right,” KU coach Mark Francis said after Thursday’s win at Rock Chalk Park. “We have had a lot of injuries this year, season-ending injuries, (and) the rest of the group has had to step up and some kids who wouldn’t have played as much have played tons of minutes and have done really, really well.”

Watts’ first goal on Thursday came in the 34th minute. After a turnover by Iowa State, Watts rocketed a shot over the ISU keeper’s head and into the net. That goal gave Kansas a 1-0 lead at halftime.

The freshman’s second goal — her sixth of the season — came in the 69th minute, with Watts ripping a shot from 25 yards out into the top right corner of the net.

“I couldn’t have done it without the team,” Watts said after her big night. “It’s a team effort, but we are super happy and we are ready to get to the tournament.”

Kansas out-shot Iowa State 9-6 for the match, with a 4-1 edge in shots on goal. Watts tallied all four shots on goal for Kansas. Kansas collected its fourth shutout of the season, while Kansas goalkeeper, redshirt freshman Hayven Harrison, collected her first career shutout.

Thursday’s win improved the Jayhawks to 9-8-2 this season and 2-5-2 in conference, while Iowa State dropped to 3-9-5 overall and 0-6-3 in Big 12 play.

Next up, the Jayhawks will take on TCU in the Big 12 tourney. Kickoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. Sunday and the match will be broadcast on Big 12 NOW via ESPN+.

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