FC KANSAS CITY DEFEATS KU JAYHAWKS

Lauren Holiday has Two Goals in the Victory

LAWRENCE, Kansas (March 29, 2024) – The University of Kansas (KU) played host to FC Kansas City today on a beautiful afternoon for soccer. Lauren Holiday had two goals to lead all scorers as the ‘Blues’ defeated the Jayhawks 3-1.

Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski used this third match in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) preseason to allow players the chance to solidify their position in his lineup. After trying out several different formations in last week’s match against the Chicago Red Stars, he returned to the traditional Kansas City 4-2-3-1 formation with Becky Sauerbrunn and Nikki Phillips (formerly Krzysik) anchoring the back line, Amy Rodriguez alone at the top of the formation and the dangerous trio of Tymrak, Holiday and Mathias in between.

FC Kansas City’s opening lineup allowed the Blues to attack quickly and early. Lauren Holiday had two shots in the first ten minutes that just missed their intended target. In the twelfth minute, Holiday chose to pass it off to Amy Rodriguez on a beautiful pass through the defensive back line. Rodriguez wasted no time and slotted her shot into the net, giving Kansas City the early 1-0 lead.

It only took three minutes for the Blues to strike again. Jen Buczkowski, who has been very active so far in the preseason, collected a pass along the left side and dished it to Holiday. Fighting for an open look at goal, Holiday dribbled across the box and found her shot, giving her side a 2-0 advantage.

Although they would hold possession for much of the remaining first half, FC Kansas City was unable to get another shot into goal. Kansas, however, was able to get on the scoreboard in the 31^st minute. Jamie Fletcher lined up a free kick from 40 yards out on the right side; her lofting cross found the head of Ashley Williams whose shot fit just under Kansas City goalkeeper Sarah Keane’s outstretched arms. Williams’ goal kept KU within one as the teams went into halftime with FC Kansas City leading 2-1.

The second half started with Liz Bogus replacing Merritt Mathias on the right side of the midfield. The speedy midfielder wasted no time getting into the action. She had several runs up the sidelines beating her defender and sending great crosses to the goal box. The Jayhawks did an excellent job of crashing their defense into the box and were able to deflect many of those crosses away.

In the 50^th minute, Bogus tried to take the ball to goal rather than cross from outside. When a KU defender slid in late, she was rewarded with a Penalty Kick. Holiday, last season’s Golden Boot winner, stepped up and easily buried the free kick.

With a 3-1 lead, Andonovski used the rest of the match to see his other players in action. Other than Keane, Sauerbrunn and Phillips, every one of his starting players got a chance to rest for most of the half. Rookies Morgan Marlborough and Frances Silva teamed up with Melissa Henderson down the middle of the field to create several chances for Kansas City, but the KU defense clogged their penalty box, making shots difficult to get on goal.

Neither side could find a score in the final 30 minutes of action as FC Kansas City remains undefeated in exhibition play with a 3-1 victory. The Blues face Oklahoma State in their final exhibition on Saturday April 5^th at 7:00p.m. CT. The match is closed to the public, but a live stream will be broadcast on FCKansasCity.com/Live-Feed.

The team opens the regular season on April 12^th at their new home, the University of Missouri Kansas City’s Durwood Stadium at 7:00p.m. CT against Sky Blue FC. Tickets are on sale by calling 855.4KC.GOAL or emailing tickets@kcprosoccer.com

FC Kansas City Exhibition Match Report                                                         

Match: FC Kansas City vs University of Kansas Jayhawks
Date: March 29, 2024
Venue: Jayhawk Soccer Complex, Lawrence, KS
Kickoff: 0:00p.m. CT

Lineups:
FCKC: Keane, Robinson (Williams 56’), Sauerbrunn, Phillips, Kallman (65’), Buczkowski (Silva 62’), Richmond (Geha 65’), Mathias (Bogus 46’), Holiday (Henderson 62’), Tymrak (Kelly 60’), Rodriguez (56’)