A large crowd filled the stands for the evening rivalry matchup, with the K-State drumline adding to the atmosphere as the Wildcats hosted their in-state rival Jayhawks.
K-State (5-4-4, 0-4-1 Big 12) and Kansas (9-3-1, 3-1-1 Big 12) remained scoreless through the first half. The teams traded opportunities, each recording four shots and two corner kicks before the break.
The Wildcats looked to break through the Jayhawks’ defense, but neither team could turn its chances into a goal in the first 45 minutes.
Kansas broke the scoreless tie in the 50th minute. Norah Jacomen fired from the left side, forcing K-State goalkeeper Maddie Sibbing to dive and make a save. Sibbing stopped the initial attempt, but the rebound landed in front of the goal, where Jordan Rowan finished from close range to give the Jayhawks a 1-0 lead.
Kansas added to its advantage in the 66th minute. Caroline Castans played a pass to Jocelyn Herrema, who finished to put the Jayhawks up 2-0.
K-State looked to respond, but Kansas held its advantage through the final minutes. The Jayhawks finished with a 13-7 edge in shots and a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal. Sibbing recorded three saves for the Wildcats.
Head coach Colleen Corbin said K-State did well to limit Kansas in situations where the Jayhawks are typically most effective. Still, she said the Wildcats needed to do more with their own opportunities.
“We got into moments where I think we could have been more dangerous, and I think that was the deciding factor in the game: they capitalized on the opportunities and were more dangerous from the middle third to the final third than we were,” Corbin said.
Corbin also pointed to senior McKinnan Braswell’s effort throughout the match. Braswell made her 31st consecutive start for K-State, continuing a consistent stretch in the Wildcats’ lineup.
“McKinnan Braswell continues to be an engine for us,” Corbin said. “Her work rate is never in question. She’s all over the field, and I think other people feed off of that energy.”
The loss extended K-State’s winless streak in Big 12 play to nine matches. The Wildcats’ last conference win came on Oct. 10, 2025, when they defeated Oklahoma State 2-1 in Stillwater. Since then, K-State has gone 0-6-3 in conference play.
Despite the difficult stretch, Corbin emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence as the Wildcats move forward.
“Just to continue to believe that we’re good enough, because I do,” Corbin said. “And what I told them in the circle is that when you decide to do something that’s never been done and to step into a program where we are trying to move the needle to places that it’s never been, you have to expect hardship.”
K-State will look to rebound Sunday when it travels to Waco, Texas, to face No. 7 Baylor. Kickoff is scheduled for noon, and ESPN+ will carry the match.
