Kastor's Goal Lifts Kansas to Overtime Win

by Mike Cummings

September 30, 2012

Junior Caroline Kastor’s timing was impeccable. The Jayhawks’ leading scorer got free down the far sideline in the 104^th minute and scored the golden goal to power No. 23 Kansas to a 3-2, double overtime victory at TCU Sunday afternoon at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium.

The overtime victory was the second of the season for KU, which improves to 8-3-1 overall and 2-1 in Big 12 play. The Horned Frogs fall to 5-6-1 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

Kastor’s goal saved the Jayhawks from disaster as TCU tallied back-to-back goals in the final eight minutes of regulation to erase a 2-0 deficit and send the match to overtime.

Following a TCU throw-in deep in Kansas territory in the second overtime, freshman Courtney Dickerson intercepted the ball and found Kastor on the far side of the field. From there, the KU junior forward played give-and-go with senior Whitney Berry, giving Kastor a breakaway along the far sideline. She cut in towards the goal and fired a shot over TCU goalkeeper Vittoria Arnold from 25 yards out for the game-winner.

It marked Kastor’s team-leading eighth goal of the season and could not have come at a better time.

On the strength of goals by sophomore Jamie Fletcher and freshman Ashley Williams, KU built a 2-0 lead early in the second half, but the Horned Frogs made a furious rally to force overtime.

TCU tied the score with 13 seconds remaining in regulation as Serena Smith-Banas finished a cross off the foot of Carly Bowen that eluded traffic on the near side of the net. It marked the first time KU has allowed multiple goals in a match since a Sept. 9 win over NC State.

Kansas got on the board in the first half as Fletcher tallied her third goal of the season in the 32^nd minute. Berry, who had two assists in the match, started the play, slotting a ball to Sarah Robbins from the near side of the field. The senior midfielder then touched to Fletcher, who fired a low shot to the left side that ricocheted off of the near post and into the net.

The Jayhawks went up 2-0 on a goal just 17 seconds into the second half. Williams finished a through-ball from fellow freshman Courtney Dickerson.

Berry's two assists gives her 31 for her career, which sets the all-time school record. The senior passed former teammate Monica Dolinsky, who had 30 assist from 2006-09.

KU outshot the host team, 19-11 in the match and held a 9-5 advantage in shots on goal. Senior Amy Grow led the team with five shots, while Kastor chipped in four, including three on net.

Sophomore goalkeeper Kaitlyn Stroud collected three saves to earn her third victory of the season.

Kansas will return to the friendly confines of the Jayhawk Soccer Complex to face No. 21 West Virginia next Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.