Late Thornhill Goal Difference Maker in K-State Win
MANHATTAN, Kansas (Kansas State Athletics) – In a frenetic 90-minute match on Sunday at Buser Family Park, K-State used a second half rocket from Caylee Thornhill to down Oklahoma, 2-1, and snag a valuable three points in the Big 12 standings. With its win, K-State has tied the school record for wins in a season with an overall record of 6-8-2 and snared its second Big 12 win for the second time in program history and own a league mark of 2-4-1. Oklahoma drops to 7-5-3 overall and 2-3-1 in league action.
HOW IT HAPPENED
– K-State led 1-0 following a late first half goal. In the 81st minute, senior Bailey Nemechek collected an Oklahoma turnover and found Thornhill alone on the left side of the field.
– Thornhill took a pair of dribbles before blasting a left-footed shot from 16 yards into the right corner of the net to give K-State a 2-0 lead.
– The goal by Thornhill was her first of the season, coming on her 41st shot attempt of the campaign. It was the third goal of her career and her second career game-winning goal.
– The assist by Nemechek was her first of the season and the third of her career.
– The Sooners closed the margin to a goal 35 seconds later, as Bailey Wesco pushed her shot from six yards into the net.
– Both teams frantically tried to gain possession and add a goal to their ledger over the last nine minutes. K-State was able to hold back Oklahoma and collect the win.
– In a fast-paced first half, K-State got on the board in the 43rd minute.
– Sophomore Adah Anderson stole a pass by the Sooners and drove down the left sideline to the end line. Before crossing the end line, Anderson centered a pass to freshman Sophie Harlan.
– Harlan tapped her shot attempt from three yards with her left foot. The ball was delected by Oklahoma goalkeeper Makinzie Short, but crawled over the line and into the net.
– This was Harlan’s second goal of the season and her first Big 12 tally.
– The assist by Anderson was her team-leading fourth of the season and her first in Big 12 action.
QUICK FACTS
– K-State is 8-44-4 all-time against teams from the Big 12 Conference.
– The Wildcats are 2-5-0 all-time against Oklahoma, including a 2-1-0 mark in matches played in Manhattan.
– Kansas State is 18-33-4 in matches played at Buser Family Park.
– K-State is 5-6-0 in matches decided by a goal. The 11 matches decided by a goal this season are the second-most in program history (13; 2017).
– When scoring two or more goals this season, K-State 3-0-0. In its history, K-State is 20-8-1 when notching two or more goals in a match.
– Thornhill ranks eighth in school history for career points with 11.
– Thornhill is the ninth player in program history with two or more career game-winning goals.
– Harlan is the first K-State freshman with two or more goals in their first season since the 2017 season (Brookelynn Entz and Hannah Davis).
– With her assist on Sunday, Anderson improved her career total to five and is tied for sixth in school history for career assists.
– With her point on Sunday, Anderson’s career total stands at nine and is tied for 10th in school history for career points.
– Nemechek played in her 64th career game on Sunday, moving into a tie for fourth on the K-State career games played list with former Wildcat Ashley Zane (2016-19; 64).
– Nemechek started her 52nd career match and ranks fourth in school history for career starts.
– Junior goalkeeper Alaina Werremeyer ended the afternoon with six saves. This was her 19th career match with five or more saves and sixth this season.
– Senior forward Kyler Goins made her 45th career start on Sunday, moving into seventh in school history for career starts.
FROM THE HEAD COACH
K-State Head Coach Mike Dibbini
On changing formation to get momentum…
“Our job was to make sure we stayed behind the ball. Then when we counter, we have more numbers, more outlets, and obviously, it worked. And it kind of maybe threw a curveball to them a little bit. And we capitalized on some of those chances because of this.”
On the defense in the second half…
“The players on the field managed the game very, very well. When we got a 2-0 lead, I think they panicked for a quick second, but regrouped after they scored their goal. It was a total team effort. We executed the game plan. We executed our goals and we did a good job defending today.”
On Caylee Thornhill’s game-winning goal…
“It was much needed on her part, and it was a banger too, so we’ll take it.”
On the Sunflower Showdown on Friday…
“Its always a fun rivalry. It’ll be a great game in a great atmosphere. So I am excited that we can take this momentum into the next game.”
FROM THE FIELD
Caylee Thornhill, Senior Forward
On her goal today…
“I think the whole season so far, it’s like knocking on the door for everybody and it’s just not getting the final touch. It’s like you never think it’s going to come and then like today it was a crossbar right before that. It’s like seriously, but then yeah, it’s just so fun to get the first one out of the way. And I mean it’s late in the season, but a goal is a goal.”
On how the formation affected the game…
“I think, with the numbers forward, we tried to take that to our advantage. You know, I think we were really good in our counter-attack too. So you know, it’s getting back to get forward too. And you know, taking that to other teams trying to get them off guard and trying to get those numbers in front and be on the front foot of the whole game instead of trying to be on our heels. Once we go in on our front foot it’s a really dangerous game for us and it’s a lot of fun.”
On getting closer to the Big 12 tournament…
“Yeah, I think already we have the two wins under our belt, so I think it’s all about gaining confidence. And we know that last year it was getting the results of the ties, but you know this year we are actually getting wins. We’re getting goals and we’re putting up numbers against big teams that we’ve just never seen that for ourselves in our program in the past. So yeah, I think going into a rivalry game and knowing that we’re in a good spot. We could be in a better spot, but you know it’s in our own hands. Everything we have left is up to us and we can do what we want and if we want to get there we can. It’s up to us.”
UP NEXT
K-State concludes its three-match homestand and its 2022 home schedule on Friday night, as the Wildcats host Kansas at 7 p.m., in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown. For tickets to Friday’s match, contact the K-State Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 221-CATS or visit kstatesports.com/tickets. Friday’s match will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
