Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Kansas’ future is made up entirely of absolutes entering today’s Big 12 Tournament first-round matchup against No. 11 Texas A&M.
Outlast the Aggies for the second time this season, and the Jayhawks will play at least one more game. Fall short, and the season will end with a first-round Big 12 Tournament exit for the fourth time in four seasons.
“Its our last opportunity,” senior midfielder Missy Geha said. “It could be my last game. Every game from here is do or die.”
break box
Kansas vs. No. 11 Texas A&M 7:30 p.m.
Blossom Soccer Stadium
San Antonio, Texas
Unless Kansas (11-7-1) wins three consecutive games to claim the Big 12’s automatic NCAA Tournament bid, something it has never done, coach Mark Francis’ team has almost no chance to compete in the postseason play.
Freshman midfielder Kelsey Clifton
Kansas began the season 5-1 but faded in conference play, finishing 4-5-1 against Big 12 opponents and claiming the seventh seed of eight in this week’s tournament.
Despite a disappointing end to the regular season, Francis said the one-and-done format meant any team had the opportunity to put together three solid games and make a run at the tournament title.
“I told the team, ‘It doesn’t matter if you’re 10-0 in the league or 2-8,’” Francis said. “It makes absolutely no difference once you get into the tournament because it’s a one-game situation. Basically everybody is on an even field. You just have to show up and perform.”
Francis knows better than most how narrow the distinction between victory and defeat can be in the Big 12 Tournament. Kansas was the second seed last November, but Oklahoma State ended its season in the first round. In 2006 the Jayhawks missed out on the second round after Colorado snuck past them on penalty kicks.
Junior defender Kim Boyer said the Big 12 Tournament didn’t hold great memories but said Kansas couldn’t afford to dwell on the past when the season came down to 90 minutes.
“You just have to take it for what it is, and go out there and win,” Boyer said. “It doesn’t matter what you did in the past.”
The Jayhawks beat the Aggies 1-0 on Oct. 17 at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex, but Francis said that thevictory wouldn’t play any role in the way either team performed tonight.
“I don’t think it’s any advantage that we beat them last time,” Francis said. “I’m sure that’s extra motivation for them. It would be for us. It’s a completely different game.”
DOLINSKY, CRESSY EARN CONFERENCE HONORS
Junior midfielder Monica Dolinsky and freshman forward Emily Cressy were both honored by the Big 12 Conference for their play this season when postseason awards were announced on Monday.
Dolinsky, who scored eight goals to go along with six assists, was named to the All-Big 12 first team.
Cressy was named Big 12 Rookie of the Year for her performance in front of goal for the Jayhawks. The Ventura, Calif., native scored seven goals and contributed three assists to finish tied for second on the team in points. She is the first Kansas player to win the award.
— — Edited by Scott R. Toland
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