Hailey
The 25th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks women’s soccer team kicked off their 2025 season in dominating fashion with a 5-2 victory over the Missouri State Bears at Rock Chalk Park on Thursday night.
The Jayhawks impressed fans with fast attacks, early goals, and strong defense, setting the tone for what could be an exciting season. This win was not just another victory—it marked a historic scoring record for a season opener and continued their long-standing dominance over Missouri State.
Historic Season Opener for Kansas
The five goals scored were the most ever by Kansas in a season opener. It was also their highest score against a Division I opponent since a 6-0 win over Colorado College in August 2023.
With this result, the Jayhawks improved to 5-1-2 in their last eight season openers and extended their winning streak against Missouri State to 12 games.
Strong Start and Early Goals
From the opening whistle, Kansas pushed forward aggressively. In the first minute, they earned a corner kick, showing their intent.
Just 6 minutes and 30 seconds into the game, Caroline Castans delivered a perfect cross from the left wing, and Jillian Gregorski headed the ball into the net for 1-0.
Only minutes later, the Jayhawks nearly scored again when Saige Wimes had a one-on-one chance, but Missouri State’s goalkeeper Ella Becker made a crucial save.
At the 18-minute mark, Lexi Watts intercepted a pass deep in Missouri State’s half and sent a low shot past Becker into the bottom left corner for 2-0.
Coach’s Praise for Early Pressure
Head coach Nate Lie was pleased with the start.
“Not many players can score the kind of goals we got early. Those first two really put us on the front foot,” he said.
Building the Lead Before Halftime
At 38:53, freshman Molly Shepherd forced a save from Becker, but the rebound fell to another freshman, Faith Johnston, who tapped the ball into the net for 3-0.
In the first half, Kansas outshot Missouri State 13-2 and had eight corner kicks compared to none for the Bears.
Second-Half Action
In the 53rd minute, Castans scored a goal of her own after an assist from Kate Langfelder, making it 4-0. However, just a minute later, Missouri State responded when Maggie O’Keefe scored from a pass by Riley Smith, cutting the lead to 4-1.
Kansas wasn’t done. At 60:22, Gregorski scored her second goal of the match after Becker failed to hold onto a shot, making it 5-1. Missouri State added another goal at 79:41 when a deflection landed at Abby Hansen’s feet, and she finished to make it 5-2.
Dominance in Stats
Kansas finished with 23 total shots compared to 5 for Missouri State, and 12 shots on goal compared to 3 for the Bears. They also had 12 corner kicks, showing their attacking dominance. 27 different players got playing time for Kansas, giving valuable experience across the roster.
Matches
| Statistic | Kansas Jayhawks | Missouri State Bears |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 5 | 2 |
| Total Shots | 23 | 5 |
| Shots on Goal | 12 | 3 |
| Corner Kicks | 12 | 1 |
| First-Half Goals | 3 | 0 |
| Second-Half Goals | 2 | 2 |
| Goalkeepers Used | 2 | 1 |
Coach’s Thoughts
Coach Lie acknowledged Missouri State’s potential, saying:
“They are a team that will win matches this season. We just caught them at a time when they didn’t have as much experience as us. Having experienced players really helps.”
Next Match for Kansas
The Jayhawks will next face South Dakota State University (SDSU), the 2024 Summit League champions, on Sunday at Rock Chalk Park. SDSU started their season with a 1-1 draw against Missouri. The match is set for 1 p.m., and Kansas will aim to continue their strong start.
The Kansas Jayhawks proved they are ready for the 2025 season with a confident and record-breaking victory. Their ability to score early, maintain pressure, and control the game’s pace shows that this team could be a serious contender.
With experienced players and promising new talent, the Jayhawks have sent a clear message—they are aiming for big things this year.