Northwestern University Athletics
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Kansas
Wildcats Fall at Kansas In Season Opener, 4-1
8/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 29, 2003
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LAWRENCE, Kan. - The Northwestern women's soccer season got off to an inauspicious start, as the Kansas Jayhawks took a 4-1 decision Friday evening in Lawrence.
The match was the season opener for both teams.
Kansas' Caroline Smith was a preseason All-Big 12 pick, and the sophomore showed Northwestern just why. She scored three goals -- two of them on penalty kicks -- to lead the Jayhawk attack.
"We had a hard time dealing with Caroline Smith," said NU head coach Jenny Haigh following the match. "She is a tremendously dangerous player, and she is also a big competitor; she caused a lot of problems for us today."
Smith got things started early on, taking advantage of a defensive miscue and tapping home a shot past NU freshman goalkeeper Whitney Jones in the 16th minute. Less than a minute later she made it 2-0 on her first PK.
After being held scoreless in the first half, Northwestern sprang to life and cut the deficit in half on the hour when Tabitha Lowey headed home a corner kick. Carolyn Hack and senior Aileen Guiney were credited with assists.
However, Jessica Smith upped Kansas' lead to two again with a goal in the 75th minute, and then six minutes later Caroline Smith netted her second PK and third goal of the night.
Jones, who came to Northwestern after just three years of high school and got the nod in goal, ended up making four saves in the match. At the other end, Meghan Miller made three stops in the Jayhawk goal. Overall, Kansas outshot the 'Cats, 13-4.
"This was a tough opener for us," said Haigh. "We did not play as hard as we could have or should have. I think that we can compete a lot harder. However, I saw some bright spots, and we were able to answer a few questions that we had entering this match."
Northwestern is back in action Sunday afternoon, meeting another Big 12 team in Missouri. Kickoff in Columbia, Mo. is slated for 1 p.m.
"I am glad we get to come right back from this match and play again," said Haigh. "I felt like this was not indicative of our team, and now we have a chance to prove that because we see another very good team Sunday in Missouri."
MATCH SUMMARY
Score by Half
Northwestern (0-1-0) 0 1 - 1
Kansas (1-0-0) 2 2 - 4
Goal Summary
KU - Caroline Smith, 15:37
KU - C. Smith (PK), 16:30
NU - Tabitha Lowey (Carolyn Hack, Aileen Guiney), 60:30
KU - Jessica Smith, 74:02
KU - C. Smith, 79:53
Shots: Kansas 13, NU 4
Corner Kicks: NU 7, Kansas 5
Saves: NU - Jones 4; KU - Miller 3
