Last night, Kansas kept its unbeaten streak fully alive with a stubborn 1-0 win over Oklahoma State, the first Big 12 matchup of the new season for the Jayhawks.
There was possibly a mental hurdle for Kansas players to jump over heading into the night, as the Jayhawks hadn’t lost a conference game since October 2024, against Oklahoma State in what was a thumping 3-0 loss
Nate Lie’s team spent the first half peppering the Oklahoma State goal as Kansas compiled five shots and forced two saves, keeping the pressure on the Oklahoma State backline.
In comparison, Oklahoma State tallied just one effort on goal; however, Kansas could not break through when it mattered most, leaving both sides heading into the half scoreless.
Things were not all great for the Jayhawks, as star forward Jordyn Rowen was issued a red card 32 minutes into the game, giving Oklahoma State the advantage for just under an hour worth of play remaining
Yet fortunes began to change relatively early on, as 55 minutes into the match, Caroline Castans notched the lone goal of the night.
The effort came from being in the right place at the right time. A cross from the left side of the box was slightly cleared away, but not with enough distance to clear all danger. The ball cut across the grass on the floor just past the edge of the box before the junior defender was able to wrap her right foot around the shot and push it to the top-right corner.
Kansas efficiently kept the pressure on in the second period, forcing another eight shots and forcing Oklahoma State to defend, rather than getting a meaningful attacking foot on the ball.
“Winning games in conference makes it harder.” Marked Lie to Kansas Athletics post-match.
“Winning conference games on the road is about the hardest thing you can do…It was a great game for our players. Total credit to the entire team – every player that touched the field and every player on the bench. It took a program effort to make it to the finish line and to just keep fighting.”
Thursday marked the first time the Jayhawks have won a game with 10 players since 2016, in what was a 2-1 win over Valparaiso.
Up next for Kansas as they continue their unbeaten stretch of nine games (7 wins, 2 draws) is a home game against the Baylor Bears on September 25th at 6 PM CT.