Emily Jensen’s Goal Pushes Kansas City past North Dakota State

Friday, February 12

Fargo, ND

6:00 PM

Kansas City

1-1-0, 1-0-0

North Dakota State University

0-1-0, 0-1-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Kansas City	2	1	3
North Dakota St.	1	1	2

Emily Jensen’s Goal Pushes Kansas City past North Dakota State

2/12/2021 10:01:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Final Box

First-year Head Coach Jess Smith leads young, inspired team to victory in conference opener

FARGO, N.D. – Despite facing freezing temperatures, indoor practices, and a change in location for this weekend's series against the North Dakota State Bison (0-1, 0-1), Kansas City (1-1, 1-0) comes away with their first conference win in a 3-2 battle to the end. Not only did the Roos come out victorious in their return to The Summit League, but also claimed their first win against NDSU in program history. The game was originally scheduled to be a home series on the new pitch in Kansas City, but due to weather was moved to the Dacotah Field Bubble, giving home field advantage to the Bison.

"We told the team when we started this spring to be ready to adapt to any scenario," Head Coach Jess Smith explained. "This week was our first big test as we completely changed plans on Tuesday to get the games in. I'm really proud of our focus so far."

More history was made tonight as first-year Head Coach Jess Smith earned her first career win. Smith was hired in February 2020, coming to the Roos with eight years of coaching experience at Kansas State and Kansas. After waiting a year to coach her first game in the gold and blue, she led a young inspired team to their first win through adversity.

In a very physical and fast paced game, freshman Rileigh Kuhns got the scoring started right away with a goal at the 8-minute mark assisted by Hayden Burnett to put Kansas City ahead 1-0. North Dakota State scored four minutes later to tie things up. With less than five minutes left before halftime, Sarah Karloff scored her second career goal to put Kansas City ahead 2-1 going into the break. The Roos stayed neck-and-neck with the Bison as shots, saves, corner kicks, and fouls all ended nearly even.

"Before the game I told my players that regardless of the result, I wanted to be able to say we are a team that leaves everything on the field," Smith explained. "Tonight we did just that. It was a team effort for 90 minutes."

For the first part of second half, it was a back and forth affair with both teams trying to get an edge. At the 62-minute mark, the Bison scored to tie things back up. Kansas City stepped up the intensity in the final 10 minutes to put the pressure on NDSU in a tied match. At 81:38, junior Emily Jensen put one through to give Kansas City a lead that they would not relinquish until the final whistle blew.

"I am really proud of the grit our team showed tonight," Coach Smith said. "We are happy to be starting off with a conference win. Tonight is momentum for us as we go into our second match against a tough and physical NDSU team."

Kansas City will be back in action on Sunday at 12 p.m. looking for a sweep against the Bison. Visit kcroos.com and follow @KCRoosWSoccer for schedule updates, news, and highlights.