Kansas City NWSL Closes Out Preseason With 3-0 Victory Over Kansas State University

KANSAS CITY (April 1, 2021) – Kansas City NWSL finished their inaugural preseason with a 3-0 victory over Kansas State University. Midfielder Gaby Vincent, forward Amy Rodriguez and trialist forward Allie Hess tallied scores for the home team. Meanwhile goalkeeper Abby Smith and the Kansas City defense remained strong, finishing the preseason schedule without allowing a single goal.

Kansas City once again started the game off with a high pace. Before the game was five minutes old, the team had already recorded six shots (three on goal). Vincent led the charge with two of the team’s first five shots. Head Coach Huw Williams has been preaching an offense-first mentality to his team, which was apparent tonight with several defenders joining the attack. 

Defender Rachel Corsie led several attacking runs in the first half. In the 26th minute she weaved through several Kansas State players before just narrowly missing forward Raisa Strom-Okimoto on a cross. Then in the 39th minute the veteran center back hit a bicycle kick that the Wildcat’s goalkeeper was lucky to grab on to.

Following a 0-0 first half, Coach Williams encouraged his team to get away from their comfort zone and put the pressure on Kansas State’s defense.

“They are conditioned to go sideways, go backwards when facing pressure,” said Williams. “We need to break them from the safe move and go forward.”

Vincent heard Williams’ pleas and pushed the ball forward throughout the second half, breaking the game’s scoring drought in the 51st minute. Rodriguez found the net in the 67th minute off a cross from defender Kristen Edmonds. 

With a 2-0 lead, Williams inserted trialist Allie Hess into his forward line. The young forward took full advantage of her opportunity with several forays into the Wildcat’s defense. Her efforts paid off in the 85th minute as she closed out the scoring in the left side netting.

With tonight’s 3-0 victory, Kansas City closes out the preseason undefeated with three wins, six goals scored and zero allowed,

The 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by Secret opens on Friday, April 9 with Kansas City travels to face Portland Thorns FC at 9:30 p.m. CT. KC opens their home schedule Monday, April 26 against the Houston Dash at 7:30 p.m. CT.

KANSAS CITY (April 1, 2021) – Kansas City NWSL finished their inaugural preseason with a 3-0 victory over Kansas State University. Midfielder Gaby Vincent, forward Amy Rodriguez and trialist forward Allie Hess tallied scores for the home team. Meanwhile goalkeeper Abby Smith and the Kansas City defense remained strong, finishing the preseason schedule without allowing a single goal.

Kansas City once again started the game off with a high pace. Before the game was five minutes old, the team had already recorded six shots (three on goal). Vincent led the charge with two of the team’s first five shots. Head Coach Huw Williams has been preaching an offense-first mentality to his team, which was apparent tonight with several defenders joining the attack. 

Defender Rachel Corsie led several attacking runs in the first half. In the 26th minute she weaved through several Kansas State players before just narrowly missing forward Raisa Strom-Okimoto on a cross. Then in the 39th minute the veteran center back hit a bicycle kick that the Wildcat’s goalkeeper was lucky to grab on to.

Following a 0-0 first half, Coach Williams encouraged his team to get away from their comfort zone and put the pressure on Kansas State’s defense.

“They are conditioned to go sideways, go backwards when facing pressure,” said Williams. “We need to break them from the safe move and go forward.”

Vincent heard Williams’ pleas and pushed the ball forward throughout the second half, breaking the game’s scoring drought in the 51st minute. Rodriguez found the net in the 67th minute off a cross from defender Kristen Edmonds. 

With a 2-0 lead, Williams inserted trialist Allie Hess into his forward line. The young forward took full advantage of her opportunity with several forays into the Wildcat’s defense. Her efforts paid off in the 85th minute as she closed out the scoring in the left side netting.

With tonight’s 3-0 victory, Kansas City closes out the preseason undefeated with three wins, six goals scored and zero allowed,

The 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by Secret opens on Friday, April 9 with Kansas City travels to face Portland Thorns FC at 9:30 p.m. CT. KC opens their home schedule Monday, April 26 against the Houston Dash at 7:30 p.m. CT.