Thursday, September 11, 2008
Wearing a neon orange practice jersey, freshman Kortney Clifton receives a pass down the far side of the field, dribbles past a teammate-turned-defender and quickly rifles a shot.
Goal.
True, it may have simply been an end-of-practice scrimmage, but the scene perfectly illustrates Clifton’s growing offensive confidence.
Freshman forward Kortney Clifton helped KU against Auburn on Aug. 31. Clifton scored her first goal of the season against UAB Friday. She came to KU after a strong high school record at Andover High School in Wichita.
“I feel more relaxed now that I finally got the ball in the back of the net,” said Clifton, who is from Wichita. “I can just relax and play and have fun.”
That enhanced self-assurance has translated into on-field success. Clifton scored three goals in two games last weekend, pushing the Jayhawks record to 4-0.
Clifton’s first goal of the season — and of her career — did more than give the Jayhawks an early 2-1 lead against UAB; it shed any doubt as to whether Clifton could score at the D-I level.
“As a forward, once you get that off your chest, it’s kind of like ‘I can just do whatever now,’” coach Mark Francis said. “I think that’s how she’s playing.”
Clifton’s ability to score, though, comes as no surprise to Francis and his staff. It was a significant reason she was recruited and a significant reason she’s seen so many minutes so early in her career.
For proof, look at Clifton’s achievements at Andover High School in Wichita. Her statistics are, well, freakish. She’s the all-time leading career (256) and single-season (80) goal scorer in Kansas, was selected All-State four times, and her 77 goals as a sophomore led the nation.
Let that soak in for a moment.
Still, even with that lengthy list of accomplishments, Clifton needed time to adapt to the college game — the speed, skill level and intensity.
“It wasn’t as much pressure,” Clifton said. “It wasn’t as competitive and the speed of play wasn’t as fast. Going in there was more relaxed and just for fun.”
Part of the adjustments dealt with the way Clifton plays forward. Her game relies heavily on attacking and beating defenders one on one. But the level of defenders in high school doesn’t quite compare to those in college.
“A lot of it during preseason was just confidence,” Francis said. “A lot of Kortney’s game is based on getting the ball and running at people. When that’s part of your game, you’re going to lose the ball.”
Perhaps the best teachers are within the confines of her own team. Facing the likes of 2006 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Estelle Johnson and sophomore Lauren Jackson every day during practice, Clifton improved through trial by fire.
After four games, Clifton is the second-highest scorer on the Jayhawks with three goals, while also having an assist. The only player she trails? Fellow freshman forward Emily Cressey, who’s scored four goals.
The two have combined to give the Jayhawks an effective one-two punch early in their KU careers.
“They’re both good players so playing with other good players is usually pretty easy,” Francis said. “It’s nice that they’re both having some success this early.”
— — Edited by Kelsey Hayes
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