Kansas City
7-5-3, 1-4-0
North Dakota
4-7-4, 0-3-2
Kansas City Mounts First Comeback Win of Season Against North Dakota
10/13/2024 4:21:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Three second half goals propelled the Roos to their first conference win of the season
KANSAS CITY – Kansas City Women's Soccer (7-5-3, 1-4-0 Summit) pulled off one of their finest comebacks in program history, scoring three unanswered second half goals to erase a two-goal halftime deficit and ultimately defeat North Dakota (4-7-4, 0-3-2 Summit), 3-2 at Durwood Soccer Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Roos totaled a remarkable 26 shots for the game, setting a new season high. Of those 26 shots, 16 were taken in the first half, yet none of those opportunities were converted into goals.
With Kansas City's back against the wall, the Roos climbed their way out of the deficit thanks to the golden boots of Lily Stedman, Adriana Benassi and Brianna Castleberry, all three of which scored second half goals to launch Kansas City to its first league victory.
KEY MOMENTS
- 15' / 0-1 | North Dakota struck first when Amelia Loeffler fed Kaylie Fowler for a shot taken outside of the box and just past the outstretched hands of Maddie Sibbing.
- 22' / 0-2 | The Fighting Hawks continued to press their advantage as Loeffler worked her way into an advantageous position past the Roos defense and scored with the assist going to Morgan Huff.
- 49' / 1-2 | Following a deflection in the box, the ball bounced back outside to Stedman. The senior forward charged forward with the ball and launched a 25+ yard shot into the top shelf of the net for Kansas City's first of three second half goals.
- 53' / 2-2 | The Roos kept the momentum in their favor and evened the score minutes later in the form of a beautiful game-tying set piece goal. Emery Ruliffson set up the play with a looping corner kick that found the middle part of the box. After the ball hit ground, Benassi took control and booted it past the Fighting Hawks goalkeeper to tie the game.
- 73' / 3-2 | With the score tied, the deciding goal was started by the Roos tablesetter Ruliffson, who charged forward in the Roos attacking third and passed up the field to Stedman. Kansas City took advantage of the opportunity when Stedman crossed the ball right in front of the net, where Castleberry met the ball with her left foot to elevate the Roos into a lead they would not relinquish.
STATS TO NOTE
- Kansas City earned their first come from behind win of the season Sunday afternoon. It's the Roos first multi-goal comeback victory since September 7, 2018 when the Roos completed a two score comeback against Kansas State to win 3-2.
- Before Sunday's match, the Roos were 0-5 this season when they allowed their opponents to score first. That trend was bucked in Kansas City's 3-2 win over North Dakota, and the Roos improved to 1-5 in that stat.
- Kansas City set multiple season highs in the shots department against the Fighting Hawks. First, the Roos notched 17 shots in the first half, the most by the team in a half this season. Kansas City finished the game with 26 shots taken, the most by the Roos in a game this season, surpassing their previous mark of 22 shots versus South Dakota.
- Benassi notched her fifth goal of the season, breaking the tie for the team lead with Madison Page who has four goals. The Roos' game-tying goal also propelled Benassi into a tie with Page for the team-lead in points with 11.
- Stedman earned a goal and an assist in the contest, making it the second time a Roo has registered both a goal and an assist in a single game this season. The first was when Benassi recorded two goals and an assist against Northern Colorado.
POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
Head Coach Jess Smith | Stedman/Castleberry
UP NEXT
After earning its first win in Summit League play, Kansas City travels to Tulsa, Okla. to play Oral Roberts at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
Team Stats
Kaylie Fowler (4)
Assisted By: Amelia Loeffler
GOAL by Hawks Fowler, Kaylie Assist by Loeffler, Amelia.
15:24
Amelia Loeffler (4)
Assisted By: Morgan Huff
GOAL by Hawks Loeffler, Amelia Assist by Huff, Morgan.
22:36
Lily Stedman (2)
Assisted By: Caijah Anderson
GOAL by Roos Stedman, Lily Assist by Anderson, Caijah.
49:02
Adriana Benassi (5)
GOAL by Roos Benassi, Adriana.
53:51
Brianna Castleberry (2)
Assisted By: Lily Stedman , Emery Ruliffson
GOAL by Roos Castleberry, Brianna Assist by Stedman, Lily and Ruliffson, Emery.
72:30
