EVANSTON, Ill. -- After falling behind by a pair of goals, Northwestern’s attempt at
a late-game rally fell just short Friday as the Wildcats lost to Kansas, 2-1, on an
unseasonably cool night at Lakeside Field.

A strong wind played a big factor in the first half of the match, as both teams
found it difficult to control the ball and mount an attack in a constant westerly
wind. Northwestern outshot Kansas in the half, 3-1.

The pace of the game changed dramatically in the second half, with the two teams
combining for 18 shots after intermission. Emily Langston (Los Altos, Calif./Los
Altos) nearly scored for Northwestern in the 54th minute. Out a scrum inside the
six-yard box, Langtson emerged with the ball near the far post. The ball took a
strange hop as the junior went to strike, and the resulting shot floated toward the
line, allowing Kansas goalkeeper Kat Liebetrau enough time to recover and make the
save.

Kansas (2-1) opened the scoring in the 66th minute, when Caroline Kastor dribbled
into the box and beat Carolyn Edwards (Lincolnshire, Ill./Stevenson) with a shot
toward the near post. The Jayhawks made the score 2-0 in the 83rd off a one-timer
from Kaitlyn Cunningham to the upper left corner of the net.

Just over a minute later, Langston got the ’Cats on the board with her first goal of
the season. Off a cross along the end line, Langston punched the ball in from the
near post.

NU kept the pressure on and Bo Podkopacz (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) had a chance to
even the game in the 86th minute, but Liebetrau smothered the shot for her fifth
save of the match.

“Overall it was a really disappointing result,” said head coach Stephanie Foster.
“We didn’t show up and protect our home field. Kansas just wanted to win. We’re
still in the process of learning how to win. We will continue to improve and get
better.”

The Wildcats continue their home stand Sunday when they welcome the Missouri Tigers
to Lakeside Field. The match is set to begin at 1 p.m. and will feature a postgame
skills clinic for all children in 8th grade and younger. Admission and parking are
free for Northwestern women’s soccer.