The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
7-4-0, 2-0-0
Kansas State
2-7-2, 0-2-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Kansas State | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Soccer nets late Julia Grosso goal to defeat Kansas State, 1-0
09.29.2019 | Soccer
The Vancouver, British Columbia, native scored her team-leading seventh goal during the 87th-minute.
MANHATTAN, Kan. – On Sunday afternoon at Buser Family Park, an 87th-minute goal from sophomore midfielder Julia Grosso powered Texas soccer (7-4-0, 2-0-0 Big 12 Conference) to a 1-0 victory over Kansas State (2-7-2, 0-2-0 Big 12 Conference).
Important Notes
- This is Texas' first 2-0 Big 12 Conference start since beating Iowa State and No. 5 West Virginia to open the 2017 league campaign.
- The Longhorns defense hasn't allowed a goal over the last 270 minutes of match time dating back to Sept. 22 against Grambling.
- Texas out-shot Kansas State by a total of 22-15 and managed a 9-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Wildcats led on corner kicks, 7-3.
- Grosso's goal was her team-leading seventh of the season, while junior midfielder Haley Berg registered her squad-high seventh assist of 2019. Redshirt junior forward Cydney Billups picked up her first helper of the year by starting the play that led to Grosso's goal.
- Texas improved to a perfect 4-0-0 all-time against Kansas State and 2-0-0 at the Buser Family Park in Manhattan, Kan.
- Redshirt junior goalkeeper Nicole Curry picked up her 33rd career win and 22nd solo shutout, good for third all-time in Texas history in both categories.
The Details
Texas' offense was buzzing from kick-off in K-State's end as Berg quickly forced a Rachel Harris save from 18 yards out during the fifth minute.
The assault continued over the next few ticks as Billups made a strong run up the right wing before firing a blast just over the crossbar at 6:52.
Billups and Grosso continued the pressure with blocked shots from the top of the 18 at 7:35 and 7:43, respectively.
Texas sophomore midfielder Kailey Smith came close for the Horns on a shot from the top right of the 18 at 17:48. KSU netminder Harris quickly leapt to her right, however, and just managed to deflect the ball away from frame.
With the Longhorns dominating early on shots, 7-0, the Wildcats finally registered their first effort of the match at 20:57 as midfielder Bailey Nemechek hit a drive from the top of the 18 that Curry dove to tip outside the left post.
The momentum began to swing the Wildcats way over the next few minutes with three KSU corners in quick succession from 21:32 to 22:44. The Longhorns defense remained disciplined in the back, however, clearing everything away without allowing a shot.
After Grosso (24:23) and senior forward Cyera Hintzen (25:12) each missed on wide efforts, K-State created its best chance of the opening half at the 28:44 mark. A perfect through ball into the box located forward Katie Cramer racing up the left wing. Facing a 1-v-1 situation, Curry came out off her line and managed to deflect Cramer's seven-yard shot to her right and over the end line.
Down the stretch, Texas had a great scoring chance go awry in the 44th-minute. Senior defender Atu Mshana drove a long ball over the backline and into the 18 where Hintzen was behind the KSU 'D." With her back to frame, the Celina, Texas, native leapt and tried a header, but it ventured outside the left post.
Out of the halftime break, both teams created early chances with Grosso (53:29) and Berg (55:45) driving shots right to the KSU keeper.
The Wildcats created a dangerous chance at 57:05 as Kramer got into some space up the right wing before driving an effort into the side netting.
Texas actually managed to score during the 63rd-minute as Hintzen and Berg teamed up to feed Grosso who scored from eight yards out. Unfortunately for the Longhorns, the sideline official had his flag up for offside, negating the goal.
The Longhorns had another golden chance in the 64th-minute as a perfect cross from the right side located Hintzen in the middle. She tried a sliding shot, but Harris raced out for a kick-save to prevent the opener.
K-State had a solid opportunity of its own off a corner at 75:54 as a ball was played short and then all the way across the box. Once recovered, a cross was delivered towards the back post, but it proved just a foot or two too tall for leaping Wildcat forward Brooklyn Entz.
With time running short, the Burnt Orange & White finally grabbed the advantage at 86:02. In possession 10 yards outside the 18, Billups passed to Berg who quickly drove middle towards the top of the box. The Celina, Texas, native weighted a perfect through ball to Grosso, and she beat Harris from 12 yards to make it 1-0.
From there, Texas worked to run out the clock to complete its perfect 2-0 start to Big 12 Conference play.
Team Stats
Grosso, Julia (8)
Assisted By: Billups, Cydney , Berg, Haley
Played in to the 18
86:02
