1. Putting the league on notice. If there was any doubt that the Orlando Pride were legit this season, this game was the one that put those to bed. Down a player for all of the second half, the Pride found a way to pull out a signature win for Seb Hines’ side, taking down the Kansas City Current 2-1 in Missouri.

2. It was Orlando that struck first in the 37th minute through none other than Barbra Banda. With Adriana helping set up the play, the ball took a deflection off of KC’s Elizabeth Ball, with Banda pouncing on the loose chance in the box. 12 goals in 12 games. Truly a wild time for Barbra since joining NWSL.

3. The Pride certainly didn’t make this game easy. A second yellow to Carrie Lawrence just before halftime meant Orlando would play down a player for the entire second half. Playing against the only other undefeated team in the NWSL was already a tough task, but doing it on the road and down a player? It would take an incredible effort to get a result. But just like all the other games before, the Pride found a way.

4. It was a defensive effort worthy of the “best defense in the NWSL” moniker. Holding the best offense in the league to only one goal while down a player is not only impressive but also a moment that separates top teams from championship contenders. A heroic effort from not just the Orlando back line, but the entire team. Seb Hines always preaches whole-team defense, and it was on full display Sunday night.

5. Anna Moorhouse, fresh off her call-up to the England National Team, put on a massive performance in goal. Much like the defense, she rose to the occasion, notching seven saves on the night, including some clutch ones late in the game and into stoppage time. While it wasn’t a record-breaking eighth clean sheet for her, a win like that she’ll take any day of the week.

6. The captain’s moment. After a penalty was given in Orlando’s favor in the 60th minute, Marta stepped up and delivered what would be the game-winning goal. As cool as you’d like, she dinked the kick from the spot right down the middle, sending KC goalkeeper AD Franch the wrong way and putting the Pride ahead against the run of play. It was a moment and a win that meant so much for the lone centurion of the club, as the emotion poured out of her as the final whistle blew.

7. It was a perfect send-off match for all of the Pride Olympians as they now get to head off to Paris as the top team in NWSL. Marta, Adriana, Rafaelle and Angelina head off to represent Brazil, while Barbra Banda and Grace Chanda will represent Zambia.

8. The NWSL will take a break for the Olympics, but the NWSL x Liga MX Femenina Summer Cup will take its place in the meantime. Orlando will play three games in the Summer Cup, with one against Rayadas of Liga MX Femenina and two against other NWSL teams: North Carolina Courage and Racing Louisville. Their first game in the cup with be on the road against NC on Saturday, July 20.

MANHATTAN — Chris Klieman was the first to admit that rebuilding Kansas State football’s offensive line after two years of stability left him a bit apprehensive.

But replacing four of five starters, including a two-time All-American and a second-round NFL Draft pick, might not be quite as daunting as one might suspect. For one thing, the group of returning players are not nearly as inexperienced or untested as such a turnover would suggest.

“Yeah, you lose that many starters, there is some anxiety a little bit,” Klieman said back in May, a month after the conclusion of spring practice. “But we’ve got a lot of guys that have started a lot of games for us and a lot of guys that have been in our system for an awful long time that they just need game reps.

“And so, our nonconference schedule, which would include a couple of really tough games, we’re going to put them under fire right away. I’m excited about the offensive line, but we’re going to play more guys.”

Kansas State football All-American Cooper Beebe not picky about where Cowboys use him

All-America guard Cooper Beebe has moved onto the Dallas Cowboys and left tackle KT Leveston was selected in the seventh round by the Los Angeles Rams. Christian Duffie was a three-year starter at right tackle and Hayden Gillum held down the center position for the past two seasons.

That leaves senior right guard Hadley Panzer as the lone full-time returning starter, and he will either move to left guard or center in 2024. But don’t forget that senior Carver Willis started the first seven games last year at right tackle while Duffie recovered from an offseason injury, and sixth-year super-senior Taylor Poitier was a regular in the rotation at right guard.

In fact, Poitier beat out Panzer for the starting right guard spot before suffering a second straight season-ending injury in the 2022 opener.

Also, don’t forget that new offensive coordinator Conor Riley is one of the most respected offensive line coaches in the business and has consistently delivered under similar circumstances.

Kansas State football adds offensive line transfer and 2024 high school receiver

Transfer Easton Kilty provides immediate help

Despite a promising group of replacements waiting in the wings, K-State turned to the transfer portal for reinforcements and landed a proven veteran in North Dakota’s Easton Kilty.

Kilty played every position but center for the Fighting Hawks and started every game last year at left tackle, where he projects for the Wildcats.

Who will be the offensive line starters in 2024?

The only wild card it would appear, is Panzer. Assuming Kilty opens at left tackle, Willis at right tackle and Poitier at right guard, where he spent most of the spring, Panzer will determine who is the fifth starter.

If Panzer is the center, look for junior Andrew Leingang to be the left guard. If Panzer is the left guard, junior Sam Hecht will start at center.

In his May interview, Klieman said the initial plan is for Panzer to be the left guard and Hecht the center, with Leingang serving as a backup at both guard and tackle.

Wildcats will rely on depth and versatility

A hallmark of Riley’s offensive linemen is versatility. Especially in the spring, he likes to have his players practice at multiple positions.

Leingang and Panzer both could see action in more than one spot. Another possibility to back up Hecht at center is sophomore Michael Capria. Other veterans who could vie for playing time are John Pastore, Drake Bequeaith, Alex Key, and Devin Vass.

“There’s just a lot of different people that can help us there,” Klieman said. “So, we’re just going to see how it shakes out in the fall.”

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A motorcycle driver is fighting for their life after they fell 35 feet into a railyard below a Kansas City, Mo., highway that is under construction.

The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department says that just after 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, emergency crews were called to the area of northbound Highway 169 and Highway 9 with reports of a single-vehicle crash.

When first responders arrived, they said they found a blue Kawasaki motorcycle had been headed north on 169 Highway, however, the driver had been speeding too fast to maintain control around the curve just before the Highway 9 exit.

KCPD noted that the roadway in the area is under construction and has been reduced to a single lane, the right lane, while the left lane is closed with cones. The driver went straight through the curve and hit a concrete jersey barrier.

Emergency crews said that after the driver hit the barrier, the motorcycle’s momentum kept the pair going north, bouncing off the barrier before the driver was ejected and fell 35 feet below on railroad grounds, but not the tracks.

KCPD said a Union Pacific train had been passing through the area when the operator saw the driver fall. The train was able to stop while the conductor called 911. The driver was taken to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.

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