Aug. 22, 2008
LAWRENCE, Kan. - On a hot and humid August day, it was a tale of two halves for the Purdue soccer team. The No. 24 Boilermakers had their moments, but fell in their 2008 season opener 3-0 to the Kansas Jayhawks.
The game began slowly, with Kansas controlling the tempo early on. In the 15th minute, however, Boilermaker freshman Kellie Phillips struck the first shot on goal on the season for Purdue but was denied by Kansas goalkeeper Julie Hanley. The same scene repeated itself five minutes later, as Phillips repeatedly asserted herself for the Boilermakers. Her two shots on goal were the only two Purdue would tally all day.
"Kellie Phillips started the match for us and gave us some major minutes. She played well." Coach Rob Klatte said. "Another freshman, Lauren Montenegro, played all 90 minutes and did very well, too."
The Boilermakers ended the half with another scoring opportunity, this time coming off a diving header from freshman Kaitlyn Blacha. The first half ended in a 0-0 tie, with the Purdue defense holding Kansas to zero shots on goal.
The second half was a different story for the Boilermakers. In the 54th minute, the Jayhawks broke through with a goal by senior Missy Geha on a tip in from three yards out. Purdue could not respond from there.
At the 66' mark, Jayhawk redshirt freshman Emily Cressy snuck a ball into the back of the net off a huge kick from the goalkeeper Hanley. The ball bounced over the Boilermaker defense and Cressy snuck by to tally the goal.
Kansas tacked on a third score in the 82nd minute, this time by junior Kim Boyer. The Boilermakers could not mount a comeback from there.
"I don't think butterflies played into it. I think it was more the demands of the game," Coach Klatte said. "It was a really hard 90 minutes and I think we gave a good effort for the first 45. We have to grow and step up. We have to play every single ball and every single moment, because you never know which moment will be the difference-maker."
Purdue finished with six shots, only two on goal. Kansas registered 13 shots with four on goal. Both teams finished with 11 fouls, but the Boilermakers committed ten in the second half.
"Fouls picked up in the second half because it was 92 degrees and humid. We're not as fit as we need to be and that sometimes happens with a young team." Coach Klatte said. "We'll address it, but I think as we get closer to the Big Ten season we'll be fine."
The Purdue soccer team opens their 2008 home slate on Tuesday, August 26 vs. Eastern Illinois. The match starts at 5:30 p.m. ET and will be held at the Varsity Soccer Complex.