In arguably the biggest moment of her young career, sophomore Katie Williams didn’t fully grasp the situation.

Last year against border rival Missouri, Williams headed in two goals as the Jayhawks knocked off the Tigers 2-1. But it wasn’t until later that the defender completely comprehended the degree of her accomplishment.

“I didn’t really understand the significance of the KU-Missouri battle,” Williams said. “But now I do. It means more to me now than it did to me then.”

On Friday, Williams, a Houston native, and the rest of the defensive unit will once again play a major role in the Kansas-Missouri rivalry. Entering the regular season finale against the Tigers, the Jayhawks have allowed just one goal in four games.

And they’ve done so with a balanced meshing of defensive pieces. Take Kim Boyer and Estelle Johnson for example. Boyer provides the Jayhawks with an offensive presence from the defender position, while Johnson, a self-described defensive-minded player, often covers those forward pushes.

“When other teams look at us, they don’t really know where to focus their scouting report,” Johnson said. “We have such versatile players they can’t really focus on trying to shut us all down.”

Perhaps the most versatile Jayhawk is Boyer. The junior began the year as Kansas’ first substitute at forward before becoming a starting defender in the Oklahoma game three weeks ago.

The Jayhawks have allowed just one goal after that game.

“She’s been incredible,” Williams said. “Her long leg... Geez. She’s really meshed with the defense and has learned a lot quickly.”

But Boyer isn’t the only one. The entire defensive unit has meshed and progressed as the season’s continued. The same mistakes that cost the Jayhawks a few victories earlier this year, coach Mark Francis said, have been corrected.

Part of that improvement came by way of playing together. The majority, though, had a direct correlation with enhanced communication between members of the defense.

“Communication-wise, we’re getting used to each other as the season progresses,” goalie Julie Hanley said. “A lot of it is communication, covering for each other and being in the right spot.”

While communication may have once been an area of concern for the Jayhawks, athleticism has not. And arguably the most athletic player on the team also happens to be a defender.

Sophomore Lauren Jackson, Kansas’ fastest player, provides the Jayhawks with the sheer athleticism needed to simply stick with quality offensive players.

“We have to be athletic enough to deal with athletically gifted forwards,” Francis said. “The other thing is with our style of play. We try to possess the ball. Our defenders have to be able to play under pressure and be composed on the ball.”

That all will be tested on Friday. Missouri plays a high-pressure, physical style of play that will no doubt challenge the Kansas defense.

Only this time around, Katie Williams enters the game with a complete understanding of the rivalry.

“It’s going to be like a bloodbath,” Williams said. “It’s always going to be a battle.”

— - Edited by Brenna Hawley