Little Rock, AR (Randy Peterson) – Kansas State registered the earliest goal in program history to open Sunday’s match at Little Rock, but the Trojans scored a pair of goals hold off the Wildcats, 2-1, at Coleman Sports Complex.
Kansas State concludes its season-opening eight-match road trip with a 2-4-2 record. Little Rock improved to 5-3-0.
“We are almost finding out something new about our team every match,” said head coach Mike Dibbini. “We had a good game plan in the beginning and we scored a quick goal. The pressure was good. After we scored and we were up so early, we realized there was a lot more game left and got a little complacent in our pressure. They equalized on a defensive error on our part defending a set piece. It was a good game. Both sides had opportunities. That is a good side there. At the end of the day they executed their offense better. ”
Kansas State jumped in front, 1-0, with the earliest goal in program history. Redshirt sophomore defender/midfielder Haley Sutterstepped in front of a Little Rock defense to defense pass from 20 yards out and beat Trojans’ keeper Sara Small to the right post in the second minute. This was the first career goal for Sutter.
“At the beginning of the game we talked about doing high pressure to press their backline and they would get shaky with the ball,” said Sutter about how her early chance unfolded. “That is what motivated me and the rest of the forwards to step up and attack the backline. It kind of made them nervous. I was super excited. I wasn’t expecting it. Usually I am a defender. I was a little scared when I got close to the goal, but when I saw the chance I went for it.”
Little Rock tied the match, 1-1, in the 29th minute of the first half. The Trojans sent a ball into the K-State penalty area that the Wildcats were unable to clear. The Wildcats blocked a pair of attempts before Jaclyn Purvine put her foot on it and beat Miranda Larkin to the top left corner.
The Trojans built up their attack midway through the second half and capitalized in the 79th minute. Little Rock sent a cross toward the K-State penalty area, but miscommunication by the Wildcats prevented a solid clearance and Little Rock’s Harrison Hayworth buried the loose ball from 16 yards straight on from K-State’s goal.
Little Rock held the edge in total shots, 13-5, and shots on goal, 7-3. Miranda Larkin registered five saves for K-State, while Small tallied two saves.
Kansas State will play their first official home game at the K-State Soccer Complex on Friday, September 16. The Wildcats will host Northern Iowa at 7 p.m.
