Kansas State University Athletics
Thursday, September 7
Manhattan, Kan.
7 p.m.
Kansas State University
2-3-2, 0-0-0
0
vs
1
(16) Memphis
5-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Memphis
0
1
1
Kansas St.
0
0
0
K-State Comes Up Shy in Upset Bid Against (16) Memphis
Sep 07, 2023 | Soccer
MANHATTAN, Kansas – K-State was in search of its first win over a ranked opponent on Thursday night at Buser Family Park, but a second half goal by 16th-ranked Memphis sent the Tigers to a 1-0 win over the Wildcats.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- K-State (2-3-2) came close to taking an early lead. Freshman Morgan Struttmann forced a miscue by Memphis goalkeeper Kaylie Bierman at the top of the 18-yard box. Struttmann took evasive touches to her left to clear herself of Bierman, but Struttmann's shot bounced off the shins of a Memphis defender on the goal line preventing the Wildcat goal.
- That would be K-State's lone attempt of the first half, as the Tigers held a 15-1 advantage in total shots but were held off the scoreboard.
- Memphis (5-1-0) would capture the lead in the 66th minute, as Momo Nakao finished from five yards.
- The Tigers would outshoot the Wildcats, 28-3, and registered an 8-2 edge in shots on goal.
QUICK FACTS
- K-State owns an overall record at Buser Family Park of 19-35-6 and are 1-2-1 this season.
- The Wildcats are 0-18-3 against ranked teams in its eight-season history.
- The Wildcats are 3-1-0 in matches against American Athletic Conference members.
- This was the first meeting between K-State and Memphis.
- Head coach Mike Dibbini owns a career coaching record of 299-155-48. He is 34-77-17 in eight seasons as the only head coach in K-State history.
PLAYER NOTES
- Sophomore goalkeeper Murphy Sheaff's K-State record in frame is 2-3-2. Her collegiate career record stands at 6-5-6.
- Sheaff equaled her season-high with seven saves.
- Senior Maddie Weichel played in her 58th career match on Thursday. She remains in sole possession of ninth in program history for career matches played.
- With their starts on Thursday, Weichel and Gillispie are tied for eighth in school history for career starts with 44.
- With her start on Thursday, freshman Morgan Struttmann recorded her first collegiate start.
FROM THE HEAD COACH
K-State Head Coach Mike Dibbini
On his thoughts on the game as a whole…
"I thought we made a great adjustment to get us back in the game. First half, we looked a little back footed and just couldn't get settled into the game. A lot of it was them coming at us, but I thought the second half adjustment allowed us to creep back into the match and create some good chances for us, we had a lot more energy in the second half. We competed well today. Unfortunately, the ball didn't go our way and it was a tough call there on the goal on their part at the end. But I mean, we competed with one of the top teams in the country today."
On how this game helps prepare for future games…
"These are the games that's going to prepare us more than anything else for the Big 12. So we've played several, I think six teams that on our schedule this year alone is in the top 25. Those are the teams that's going to allow us to fine tune and expose us to the point where we need to figure out what we need to work on going into the Big 12, so like tonight, you know the goal they scored? It was a tough one because I can't tell how we were on our line moving up when the ball goes forward and you got to step in lines, so we learn from those moments. I think overall, it was a good performance on our part, we just didn't get the result."
On what Memphis was doing in the first half…
"I think they just did a good job of combining in and around us. And when they did that early on, they put us on our back foot and we were playing not to lose instead of playing to have the mindset to be brave. That's what we saw a little bit in the first half. Second half, we were a lot more attack-minded, a lot more aggressive in the flow of the game. And then once we broke them down a couple of times, it gave us more energy and more confidence to go forward."
FROM THE FIELD
Sophomore Goalkeeper Murphy Sheaff
On her overall thoughts of the game…
"I mean, obviously it's always tough losing a game at home in front of the people you're here to impress, the people you're here to play for. So that's always tough. But you know the good thing about having two games a week is time to bounce back. There's time to just switch on for the next one and just move towards that."
On the defense during the first half…
"Yeah, I feel like we locked them down pretty well defensively in the first half, second half too. There's just always opportunities that they're going to have. So it's just a little disappointing to let that one slide through. But, again, coming back stronger, we're going to work on putting some away now and hopefully, win on Sunday."
On staying composed…
"Honestly, I think the more shots it helps me stay in the game actually better than doing nothing. I mean obviously I don't want shots on, but no just kind of moving on every time something happens. Just forget about it, and on to the next thing."
On using these games to prepare for Big 12 games…
"I think it's been fabulous. Even though we have had some tough results, some tough games to move forward from. I think playing the toughest teams possible is only going to benefit us, we can see where we're falling apart where we need to work on and it's only going to benefit us in the long run."
UP NEXT
K-State continues its four-match home stand on Sunday evening, as the Wildcats host Oral Roberts at Buser Family Park. Match time is 6 p.m. For tickets, call (800) 221-CATS or visit kstatesports.com/tickets. Sunday's match will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- K-State (2-3-2) came close to taking an early lead. Freshman Morgan Struttmann forced a miscue by Memphis goalkeeper Kaylie Bierman at the top of the 18-yard box. Struttmann took evasive touches to her left to clear herself of Bierman, but Struttmann's shot bounced off the shins of a Memphis defender on the goal line preventing the Wildcat goal.
- That would be K-State's lone attempt of the first half, as the Tigers held a 15-1 advantage in total shots but were held off the scoreboard.
- Memphis (5-1-0) would capture the lead in the 66th minute, as Momo Nakao finished from five yards.
- The Tigers would outshoot the Wildcats, 28-3, and registered an 8-2 edge in shots on goal.
QUICK FACTS
- K-State owns an overall record at Buser Family Park of 19-35-6 and are 1-2-1 this season.
- The Wildcats are 0-18-3 against ranked teams in its eight-season history.
- The Wildcats are 3-1-0 in matches against American Athletic Conference members.
- This was the first meeting between K-State and Memphis.
- Head coach Mike Dibbini owns a career coaching record of 299-155-48. He is 34-77-17 in eight seasons as the only head coach in K-State history.
PLAYER NOTES
- Sophomore goalkeeper Murphy Sheaff's K-State record in frame is 2-3-2. Her collegiate career record stands at 6-5-6.
- Sheaff equaled her season-high with seven saves.
- Senior Maddie Weichel played in her 58th career match on Thursday. She remains in sole possession of ninth in program history for career matches played.
- With their starts on Thursday, Weichel and Gillispie are tied for eighth in school history for career starts with 44.
- With her start on Thursday, freshman Morgan Struttmann recorded her first collegiate start.
FROM THE HEAD COACH
K-State Head Coach Mike Dibbini
On his thoughts on the game as a whole…
"I thought we made a great adjustment to get us back in the game. First half, we looked a little back footed and just couldn't get settled into the game. A lot of it was them coming at us, but I thought the second half adjustment allowed us to creep back into the match and create some good chances for us, we had a lot more energy in the second half. We competed well today. Unfortunately, the ball didn't go our way and it was a tough call there on the goal on their part at the end. But I mean, we competed with one of the top teams in the country today."
On how this game helps prepare for future games…
"These are the games that's going to prepare us more than anything else for the Big 12. So we've played several, I think six teams that on our schedule this year alone is in the top 25. Those are the teams that's going to allow us to fine tune and expose us to the point where we need to figure out what we need to work on going into the Big 12, so like tonight, you know the goal they scored? It was a tough one because I can't tell how we were on our line moving up when the ball goes forward and you got to step in lines, so we learn from those moments. I think overall, it was a good performance on our part, we just didn't get the result."
On what Memphis was doing in the first half…
"I think they just did a good job of combining in and around us. And when they did that early on, they put us on our back foot and we were playing not to lose instead of playing to have the mindset to be brave. That's what we saw a little bit in the first half. Second half, we were a lot more attack-minded, a lot more aggressive in the flow of the game. And then once we broke them down a couple of times, it gave us more energy and more confidence to go forward."
FROM THE FIELD
Sophomore Goalkeeper Murphy Sheaff
On her overall thoughts of the game…
"I mean, obviously it's always tough losing a game at home in front of the people you're here to impress, the people you're here to play for. So that's always tough. But you know the good thing about having two games a week is time to bounce back. There's time to just switch on for the next one and just move towards that."
On the defense during the first half…
"Yeah, I feel like we locked them down pretty well defensively in the first half, second half too. There's just always opportunities that they're going to have. So it's just a little disappointing to let that one slide through. But, again, coming back stronger, we're going to work on putting some away now and hopefully, win on Sunday."
On staying composed…
"Honestly, I think the more shots it helps me stay in the game actually better than doing nothing. I mean obviously I don't want shots on, but no just kind of moving on every time something happens. Just forget about it, and on to the next thing."
On using these games to prepare for Big 12 games…
"I think it's been fabulous. Even though we have had some tough results, some tough games to move forward from. I think playing the toughest teams possible is only going to benefit us, we can see where we're falling apart where we need to work on and it's only going to benefit us in the long run."
UP NEXT
K-State continues its four-match home stand on Sunday evening, as the Wildcats host Oral Roberts at Buser Family Park. Match time is 6 p.m. For tickets, call (800) 221-CATS or visit kstatesports.com/tickets. Sunday's match will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
Team Stats
UM
KState
Goals
1
0
Shots
28
3
Shots on Goal
8
2
Saves
1
7
Corners
4
3
Fouls
8
9
Scoring Plays
Momo Nakao (3)
Assisted By: Ashley Henderson
GOAL by UM Nakao, Momo Assist by Henderson, Ashley.
65:55
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
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