FC KANSAS CITY FINISHES EXHIBITION SEASON WITH BIG WIN

Merritt Mathias Caps Off Strong Preseason With Hat Trick

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (April 5, 2024) – FC Kansas City beat Oklahoma State University’s Cowgirls 10-0 today at Swope Park. The ‘Blues’ were led by Merritt Mathias who scored a hat trick while, Liz Bogus and Frances Silva each recorded a brace at Swope Soccer Park in Kansas City, Missouri.

Being the final match of the exhibition season, Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski used a new lineup designed to highlight his team’s offensive capabilities. Utilizing a 4-4-2 lineup with Erika Tymrak and Matthias directing the central midfield, Kansas City was able to jump on Oklahoma State early. Nia Williams opened the scoring, making a run from her center back position and converting a Tymrak pass.

Mathias added two more before the game was 25 minutes old. She took a chance from well back of the Cowgirls’ penalty box in the 23^rd minute that found its way past the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper. On the ensuing kickoff, defender Leigh Ann Robinson won the ball and sent a pass to a running Mathias. She then carried the ball down the field and beat the keeper again. Just five minutes after Mathias, Tymrak scored one of her own, another score for FC Kansas City from way outside of the box.

Trying for a second score, Tymrak was fouled in the box late in the half, leading to a Liz Bogus penalty kick score. Bogus scored from the run of play only minutes later on a cross from Kassey Kallman. A very active first half for the Blues gave them a 6-0 lead at the half.

Andonovski made several changes to his side at halftime. Nicole Barnhart, Morgan Marlborough and Liz Bogus took a break while Sara Keane, Maegan Kelly and Melissa Henderson joined the lineup. After the break, Oklahoma State’s intensity ramped up and they were able to hold some possession.

Once the new lineup got their feet, Kansas City once again took over. Silva netted the first goal of the second half on a free kick that sailed over the defensive wall and into the net.

In the 58th minute, Leigh Ann Robinson crossed a ball in to Matthias who quickly shot and completed her hat trick. Two minutes later, Tymrak was again taken down in the box awarding FC Kansas City another penalty kick, this time earning the Oklahoma State defender a yellow card.

The kick was taken by Henderson who didn’t waste the opportunity, scoring her shot with ease. Henderson added an assist moments later, crossing the ball to Silva late in the second half. Her second score of the game capped off the 10-0 victory in FC Kansas City’s final exhibition match.

FC Kansas City now prepares for the regular season, beginning with Sky Blue FC. The team’s Home Opener is next Saturday, April 12at 7:00p.m. CT on Verizon Wireless Field in Durwood Stadium. Tickets are still available by calling 855.4KC.GOAL

FC Kansas City Exhibition Match Report         

Match: FC Kansas City vs Oklahoma State University
Date: April 5, 2024
Venue: Swope Soccer Park
Kickoff: 4:00p.m. CT

Lineups:
FCKC: Barnhart (Keane), Kallman, Buzckowski, Williams, Robinson, Richmond, Tymrak (Dreska), Mathias (Geha), Silva, Bogus (Henderson), Marlborough (Kelly)