Kearney, Neb. – The Washburn Ichabods scored in the 52nd and 82nd minutes to hold off Nebraska Kearney, 2-1, Sunday afternoon at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.
This was the non-MIAA game between the Ichabods (5-1-0) and the Lopers (1-4-0). The league contest is set for next Sunday (Sept. 24) in Topeka.
“Tough outcome. We’re sick of going down 2-0, coming back and then missing a chance to get a draw in the final minute,” said UNK head coach Rob Breton. “They are good and should be near the top of the conference this year. It was hard fought and I’m proud of the girls.”
It was an even first half with Kansas sophomore Reagan Downes getting a shot off from the center box in the 18th minute. However, veteran WU keeper Raegan Wells recorded one of her three saves to keep it a scoreless game. Lincoln true freshman Susie Bovaird stopped ‘Bods shots in the 21st, 26th and 34th minutes to have things tied entering the break.
WU had six of its 10 corners over the final 45:00 with UNK fighting off each one. However, a bit of a bad break – like in Friday’s 1-0 loss at Fort Hays State – got the Lopers at 52:55. Junior Khloe Schuckman took a shot on the goal line from about 10 yards out. Her shot slightly deflected off the shoulder of a Loper defender and that was enough for the ball to sneak into the right corner of the goal.
Almost 30 minutes later, junior reserve Jadyn Allen got loose near the left box and tallied her third goal of the fall.
“The first one was an easy deflection; you can’t turn your back and we talk about that all the time. When you do, you create a better opportunity for the bounce to go into the goal. On the second (goal), you can’t allow their best scorer to cut inside onto their dominant foot around the edge of the box.”
UNK didn’t go away, however, as Lincoln sophomore Corynne Olsen tallied her second goal of 2023 by scoring at 88:39. She was at the top of the box and scored after getting a pass from Colorado junior Katie Pagel. Olsen then got loose again the ‘Bods box in the waning seconds but couldn’t get a shot off in time.
“Our offense is better. We’ve already scored more goals than in all last season. It’s progressing but it’s about that first touch. We put ourselves into a bad situation (with our first touch) and then we don’t have a good reaction to that,” said Breton.
Also for the Lopers, Missouri junior Emily Flowers headed a second half corner that unfortunately was stopped by Wells. Finally, Bovaird had three saves with Kansas veteran Lily Engeman going all 90 minutes.
UNK heads to Emporia State (0-3-3) next Friday prior round two vs. WU.
Loper Soccer Edged By Washburn
