"Our team has found a way to put themselves at 3-0, which is not an easy accomplishment against three conference champions," head coach Nate Lie said to Kansas athletics following a tight 3-2 win over Utah Valley of the Western Athletic Conference.
The Jayhawks found goals within a minutes as midfielder Livvy Moore launched a lofted pass in the air to a cutting Lexi Watts, the senior took a deft touch before slotting the ball to goalkeeper Leah Wolf's left side allowing Kansas to snag an early lead.
The first half wasn't without strife as the Wolverine's struck nearly 22 minutes into the match as captain Ruby Hladek picked her head up in midfield and much like Moore, slid through the Kansas backline with a pass that seared in-between center backs Olivia Page and Jordan Fjelstad before finding the left foot of Faith Webber who pushed Utah Valley back even.
With over 24 minutes played in the first period, on a half-turn, Watts was clipped in the box and was awarded a penalty that Watts ended up converting the penalty to give Kansas another advantage in the back-and-forth match.
Kansas reeled in their final goal of the first half thanks to Watts who weaved herself through Wolverine defenders before delivering a short pass to freshman Jordan Rowen who took one touch to pass a shot past Wolf who gave Kansas what looked a settled 3-1 lead. That lead was secure, all the way until the final five minutes of the night, when Utah Valley pipped a goal from a corner kick taken by Marie Quentel. Kansas goalkeeper Sophie Dawe found herself being pushed around the box with players from either side as Hladek leaped over everyone else and got her head on the concluding goal of the game.
Up next for the Jayhawks is an away day against Utah State, with the match scheduled to kickoff at 2 PM CT.