Friday, September 12, 2008
Mark Francis looks down his bench and sees nothing but options: 17 players ready and waiting for their chance to contribute.
Kansas’ roster depth is a luxury Francis has taken advantage of and one he doesn’t take for granted. One year ago, the Jayhawks lost senior goalkeeper Julie Hanley and junior defender Jenny Murtaugh for the season with long-term injuries. The team struggled to find a cohesive rotation until Big 12 play.
Sophomore defender Lauren Jackson battles to head the ball away in front of the Kansas goal during the second half of Sunday's game against Auburn.
But heading into this weekend’s games against Missouri State and Loyola Chicago, those worries are in the past. Hanley and Murtaugh are back, and the never-ending battle for playing time has been jump-started by a gifted freshman class spicing up the mix.
Francis said the competition at practices had created a squad in which any player can earn the opportunity to play on weekends. The statistics tell the same story. Through Kansas’ first four games, all victories, 26 of 28 available players have seen playing time and the starting lineup has been shuffled multiple times.
“It makes practice more competitive because people are competing to play,” Francis said of the constant struggle to see the field. “But it’s not a vindictive competition. It’s a healthy competition.”
The infusion of talent has made bringing fresh players in off the bench during critical points or late in games less of a risk. That confidence is something junior defender Estelle Johnson said wasn’t always present a year ago.
“Last year the tempo of the game would decrease or you would feel like you had to cheat to one side,” Johnson said. “This year we don’t think about that at all. We just play our game and know the person next to us is going to do their job.”
Part of that transition was the return of the ultra-versatile Murtaugh, Johnson said. Murtaugh’s ability to anchor the defense as well as fill in capably in midfield has given Kansas options where it lacked them in her absence. Her flexibility has been especially valuable as Francis attempts to fill the hole left by senior midfielder Missy Geha’s absence due to an undisclosed illness.
UCLA transfer Sarah Salazar also adds another proven midfield option along with freshman Jordyn Perdue, and Hanley has been a presence in goal when Kansas has most needed it. Senior midfielder Jessica Bush said the high level of competition for places has given the Jayhawks an extra edge come game time.
“We are extremely flexible with what we can do,” Bush said. “At any point in time different people can step in week to week.”
That production from top to bottom is invaluable as Kansas prepares for the physical gauntlet created by a weekend-heavy schedule. With games coming every Friday and Sunday for the next seven weeks, Bush said having a wealth of options available could be the difference between winning and losing on Sundays.
Those options will come into play this weekend when the Jayhawks travel to Springfield, Mo., to take on the Bears then return to Lawrence to clash with NCAA Tournament participants, Loyola Chicago.
GEHA RETURN DOESN"T LOOK IMMINENT
Senior midfielder Missy Geha remains out because of an undisclosed illness that has prevented her from regularly attending practice, Francis said.
Geha was allowed to visit practice Tuesday, and she said she was trying to stay positive and support her teammates while she waited to return to action.
When asked if there was any timetable for her return, Geha said she hoped to return “sooner rather than later.” Kansas has relied on senior midfielder Jenny Murtaugh and freshman Jordyn Perdue in her stead.
CRESSY RECEIVES NATIONAL HONOR
Freshman forward Emily Cressy was named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Week for her performances against UAB and SMU last weekend. Cressy leads Kansas with four goals through as many games.
THE RANKINGS GAME
After beginning the season unranked, Kansas is slowly making its way up the national polls. The Jayhawks are currently ranked No. 20 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and No. 18 by Soccer Times magazine.
— — Edited by Brieun Scott
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