Kansas to host NCAA soccer tournament’s st, 2nd rounds

Senior Rachel Gilfillan scored the game-winning goal to clinch the Big 12 Championship for the Jayhawks.

For the first time in school history, the University of Kansas soccer team will host the first and second rounds of the 2004 NCAA Soccer Tournament at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex. Two first round games are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 12, and one second round match is on tap for Sunday, Nov. 14.  The Jayhawks are the No. 8 national seed and will face Crieghton in the tournament's first round.

The Jayhawks (17-4) posted the most regular season wins in school history (16) and won the program's first Big 12 Championship by completing league play with a 8-2 mark.  They are one of the nation's top defensive teams this season, allowing only 10 goals in 21 games.  Senior goalkeeper Meghan Miller has been key to the Jayhawks' success: She leads the conference in goals against average (0.48), save percentage (.902) and shutouts (11).  Offensively, the Jayhawks are led by first team All-Big 12 performer Caroline Smith and Rachel Gilfillan.  Smith is the team leader in points (30), goals (11) and assists (8), while Gilfillan has chipped in for a career-high eight goals this season.  Along with Smith, Miller, senior Midfielder Amy Geha and sophomore defender Holly Gault were named to the All-Big 12 first team, while Gillfillan and freshman defender Afton Sauer were selected to the All-Big 12 second team. 

Kansas' first round opponent, the Creighton Bluejays (9-7-4), defeated Drake, 3-1, to win the Missouri Valley Conference and earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.  Before the 2004 regular season, KU defeated Creighton 6-1 in an exhibition match at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.

Head coach Mark Francis awaits the announcement of NCAA soccer pairings.

"I think that it is huge," said head coach Mark Francis.  "We don't have to travel on Thursday and the players get to sleep in their own beds.  They can go to class, which I am sure they are very happy about because they missed last week at the conference tournament.  Hopefully we will get some people out at the game supporting us and that could be a really big boost for the players."

In the other first round game at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who finished in fifth place in the Big 12, will take on the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles.  ORU defeated Valparaiso to win the Mid-Continent Conference. 

Official game times will be announced later this week.

Ticket prices are $7 for adults, $3 for students and senior citizens and $1 for children under five years old.  Fans may purchase tickets on www.kuathletics.com or from the KU ticket office at (785) 864-3141.