It may not be a surprise to the team itself, but the Kansas Jayhawks have provided a bit of an unexpected story this season in women’s college soccer.

Mark Francis’ squad is 7-2-1 overall, good for #31 in the TopDrawerSoccer.com Tournament 64 National Ranking.

Most notably, the team opened the Big 12 season with a 2-1 win over preseason conference favorites Oklahoma State. Senior leader Whitney Berry (#24 in our Players To Watch Top 100 for college upperclassmen) converted a late penalty kick to provide the margin of victory for the Jayhawks.

Francis explained that while it is a good win for the team, nobody on the Lawrence campus is making too big a deal of it.

“I told them it’s a nice win but it’s just one game, and we have seven more conference games this season,” Francis said. “They feel the same way. This group has been pretty confident all season. They went into the game thinking they could win, so while other people might be surprised, we’re not so surprised.”

Francis credited veteran leadership with helping the team progress this year.

“Our seniors right now, and we have seven of them, have all done really well leading this group,” Francis said.  “That has a lot to do with it. You can have some talent but if there’s no leadership, winning can be a little bit difficult. On top of that, some of the younger kids have come in and done really well.”

One key leader has been senior attacking player Whitney Berry, who plays both at midfield and forward, depending on the situation.

“Whit is very competitive. In practice, games, no matter the environment, she likes to compete,” Francis said. “She obviously has some ability, but her competitiveness is what sets her apart in games because she wants to win so badly. She is versatile and dynamic in midfield and dangerous on the dribble. She gives us a different look in midfield. Another thing is, I’ve been on her since her freshman year about doing a better job on the defensive side. This season she’s more conscientious about defending and doing a better job there.”

Junior Caroline Kastor and freshman Ashley Williams have led the team in goals, with 7 and 6, respectively. Defenders Haley Yearout, Madi Hillis, Shelby Williamson and former Albion Hurricanes standout Caroline Van Slambrouck have been steady in the back, while freshman Courtney Dickerson at forward and holding midfielders Jamie Fletcher and Amy Grow are also mainstays, along with veteran Sarah Robbins.

Perhaps most surprisingly, the Jayhawks strong start has been done without the services of Colombian National Team players Ingrid Vidal and Liana Salazar, both of whom are ineligible as they catch up on their academic progress following time in university English programs and a summer preparing for and playing at the London Olympics.

Francis utilizes a 4-3-3, system, along the lines of a Dutch model.

“We possess in order to penetrate,” he said. “We like to play out of the back and utilize our midfield. We don’t just bang it forward, but rather try to play the game. It may be easier to win in some situations if you play direct, but we try to recruit kids who like to play as well.”

And there’s no doubt that this group of players won’t be surprised when that style and system translate to wins in Kansas.