Kansas State ends its season against top-seeded Texas in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament.
K-State entered the game as underdogs to the top-seeded Longhorns. The underdogs put high pressure on Texas’s high-flying offense in the first half, enforcing a back-and-forth style of play.
From the start of the pitch, it was a track meet, with each team running back and forth into each third. K-State’s high pressure would thwart the Texas offense, but it led to exhaustion for the Wildcats.
The X factor for both teams would be their goalkeeping. Both starters have proven to be seasoned veterans with tremendous talent. The Wildcats were barraged by shots from the Texas offense, and two goal opportunities for the Longhorns were called off by offsides penalties.
The first strike of the game came from Texas forward Holly Ward with a corner kick in the 25th minute of play, putting the ball away in the back right of the net. It was quickly followed by a 50-50 ball off a corner kick into K-State’s net for another score by defender Emily Jane Cox.
Texas midfielder Lexi Missimo would add another insurance score off a penalty kick goal in the 33rd minute of play.
K-State made an effort to respond, nearly finishing a few shots ending just shy of the net. The half ended with the Longhorn defense rejecting a few K-State corner kicks in a pursuit of a late rally.
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K-State opened the second half looking for a quick score to cut the deficit. They found some good looks in trying to regain momentum, but they were unable to capitalize.
The rest of the second half saw a back-and-forth between teams, but the Wildcats ran out of steam trying to keep up with the Texas offense.
The final goal would be scored in the 69th minute, with a kick off the right foot of Texas’s Trinity Byars in the bottom center of the goal.
While suffering a disappointing loss, the Wildcats season still achieved school history. This season was the first year they were eligible to attend the Big 12 tournament.
Standout player Alaina Werremeyer put in a career year and cemented her legacy in K-State soccer history, earning a multitude of school records.
The quick exit coincides with a display of growth within a young program and excitement about the future of Wildcat soccer.
