Friday, October 30, 2009
It’s hard to imagine a bigger way for Kansas to end its regular season than with today’s game.
Not only is it Senior Day for one of the most talented classes coach Mark Francis has had, it’s also the last chance for the team to earn a spot in the Big 12 tournament.
Senior forward Kim Boyer takes posession of the ball during the KU-Nebraska game Oct. 23. Saturday’s game against Missouri is the last of the regular season, and will be the last chance for the Jayhawks to get a spot in the Big 12 tournament.
Oh, and they’re playing border rival and No. 20 Missouri.
So what does Francis tell his team leading up to a game of this magnitude?
“There’s not really much you have to say. They know it’s a big game, I don’t really have to tell them that,” he said. “I think the biggest thing for me is that we make a fight of it.”
This afternoon’s game, which starts at 3 p.m. at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex, will be about more than just a Missouri-Kansas rivalry, as the last hopes for a postseason berth are at stake for Kansas. The Jayhawks must win their match, but they also need Baylor to lose at Oklahoma or Texas Tech to lose at Colorado.
It’s a daunting situation, but even more daunting considering Kansas’ opponent. Missouri (12-4-3, 7-0-2 Big 12) has already earned the Big 12 regular season title with a six-point cushion over No. 2 Texas A&M. The Tigers are without a loss in conference play and undefeated in their last 10 games, with their last loss coming from No. 5 UCLA on Sept. 20.
Francis said Missouri’s speed and aggressiveness sets it apart from other teams.
“They do what they do very, very well, and they’ve obviously had a lot of success with it,” he said.
Missouri’s direct offense has the most goals and assists in the Big 12 during conference play. Francis said his team will have to be quicker than usual to control the tempo of the game against Missouri’s speed.
“Their style is different than any team we’ve played thus far this year,” junior midfielder/forward Caitlin Noble said. “They play with a 3-4-3, and we haven’t played that formation yet.”
At least one statistic favors the Jayhawks: They haven’t lost to Missouri at home since 1996. And they know that streak can’t be broken if they want to keep playing this year.
“I don’t think it’s really hit me yet that it could be the last game,” freshman midfielder/forward Shelby Williamson said. “No one wants to just be done.”
It would be the first time in 10 years that Kansas didn’t make the Big 12 tournament. That would seem an odd distinction for a team that many players say is the best the school has had in recent years.
“I don’t want it to be our last game because this is one of the better teams we’ve had at KU, and we haven’t lived up to our full potential yet,” Noble said. “I know we could win the Big 12 tournament, I just want to get there.”
And, for the five seniors, there will be an extra dose of motivation as they play their last game on the Jayhawk Soccer Complex turf.
“I’m not going to let this be my last game,” senior defender Estelle Johnson said. “I think we’re all pretty determined not to let this be our last game.”
— Edited by Abby Olcese
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