Kansas Soccer Players Stand Out to Start Season

A look at how the Jayhawks have kicked off the season on the soccer pitch.

The Kansas Jayhawks football team isn't the only one off the a hot start. KU is also thriving on the soccer pitch, currently holding a record of 6-2 with wins over Northwestern, Iowa, Drake, Purdue, UMKC, and Yale. Head coach Mark Francis has this team playing at an elite level. 

Francis has held the title head coach for 23 seasons at Kansas. In that span, he has amassed a record of 249-183-41 and earned Big 12 Coach of the Year (2004), Central Region Coach of the Year (2004), and Central Region Coach of the Year (2001).  

Junior Shita Elinav has been stellar so far this season, leading the Jayhawks in numerous statistical categories. In eight games played, Elinav has started six, scoring six goals in those games. She has also added one assist and eleven total points.

Another Jayhawk who has played well is super-senior Rylan Childers. Childers started her playing career at UMKC but transferred to Kansas in the 2020-21 season. This year, Childers has played in eight games, starting all eight. She has scored two goals, added three assist, and currently has seven points.

On August 30th, senior goalkeeper Melania Pasar and freshman defender Assa Kante each earned conference honors. Pasar was given Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Week and Kante was awarded Big 12 Freshman of the Week. Pasar's award is notable as she becomes only the second Jayhawk in program history to be awarded with the Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Week.

The next slate of games are in Florida as Kansas will play Florida Atlantic on September 15th and South Florida on September 18th. The Jayhawks will open up Big 12 play on September 22nd at home against Oklahoma State.