After wrapping up spring play, Nate Lie and Kansas soccer have turned attention to the fall As the spring season concludes, Kansas soccer head coach Nate Lie and his staff have shifted focus to preparing for the upcoming fall campaign. With the 2025 season behind them — marked by a 16-6-3 record, a No. 10 national RPI ranking, and a No. 13 finish in the final United Soccer Coaches poll — the Jayhawks are building on recent success as they look ahead to 2026. Lie, who was named the fourth head coach in Kansas soccer history on Dec. 4, 2023, recently completed his second season leading the program. Under his guidance, Kansas has achieved back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 run in 2025 — only the third time in program history to reach that stage. The team also captured the 2024 Big 12 Tournament Championship, making Lie the first head coach in Big 12 history to win the tournament championship in their first season with a program. The Jayhawks’ recent accomplishments extend beyond postseason success. In 2025, Kansas set single-season records in goals (51), corner kicks (172), and points (154), while recording the second-most assists in a season (52). The 172 corner kicks ranked fourth nationally, and the 154 points placed 12th in the country. Kansas led the nation in road and neutral-site wins over the 2024 and 2025 seasons, with 19 victories away from Lawrence. Recognizing the program’s rapid ascent, Kansas extended Lie’s contract through the 2030 season in a five-year agreement announced on April 21, 2025. Director of Athletics Travis Goff praised Lie’s impact, stating, “It’s hard to imagine a tenure starting stronger than Nate’s has here at Kansas. He has won a championship and elevated Kansas Soccer to the highest levels in a short time.” As the team transitions from spring development to fall preparation, Lie and his staff continue to emphasize player growth both on and off the pitch. The foundation laid over the past two seasons positions Kansas for sustained competitiveness in the Big 12 and on the national stage. With returning talent and a clear vision for the future, the Jayhawks enter the fall focused on building upon their recent achievements and pursuing even greater success.
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