The Washburn Lady Blues continued to rocket down the comeback trail this week by defeating Northwest Missouri State University 2-1 in double overtime on Sept. 23 and Emporia State University 2-1 on Sept. 25.  

The Lady Blues drew first blood against Northwest Missouri early in the second half with a goal from fielders Leah Talley and Tia Stovall.  

Northwest Missouri tied the score in the 75th minute and the game was sent into overtime. After neither team scored in the first ten minutes of overtime, Washburn finally connected. Stovall scored the winning goal on an assist from Taylor Mayhew, midfield defender, giving the Lady Blues a 2-1 win.

“I think both [games] reflected the character of our team and how we’re growing and the resilience that we have,” said Tim Collins, head coach. “Against Northwest, difficult circumstances as far as the weather goes, we get the result.”  

Going into the game against Emporia State, Washburn had a 10-game winning streak against the Hornets. Emporia State (0-8-1. 0-5 MIAA) scored first in the 34th minute and outshot the Lady Blues three to two in the first half. In the second half, trailing by a goal, the Lady Blues managed to outshoot the Lady Hornets seven to one.

When the game and the winning streak looked like they were coming to an end, Markie Gallagher, Washburn midfield defender, scored in the 86th minute on an unassisted goal. Then 17 seconds later, Gallagher sent a ball through the Lady Hornet defense to Talley, who scored the winning goal. The 17 seconds between the two Washburn goals is a school record.

“In this game we gave up the first goal.  If this had happened two weeks ago, we wouldn’t have done what we were able to do tonight,” said Collins. “The other thing is we struggled in the attack in the beginning of the season and things are starting to come along a little bit, so I’m proud of them.  I’m proud of the direction that we’re going.”

The game against Emporia State makes it the third straight win for the Lady Blues after a rough start to the season, having three losses and a tie. The Lady Blues are optimistic they will continue to turn the season around and continue the way they have been playing the last three games.

“I feel that these last three games that we have played, we really have come together and we played the way we played last year and got our heads in the game we’re ready for some wins,” said Talley. “We’re sick of losing.”

With plenty of games still remaining in the season, the team realizes their flaws from the beginning of the season and looks to work out the kinks for a winning season.

“We’re starting to connect really well as a team,” said Talley.  “We need to work on communicating a little bit more. I know the forwards need to talk more for our defense and midfield and just make those tiny transitions between each line.”

Washburn next plays at home against Truman State University on Sept. 30 and away at Southwest Baptist University on Oct. 2.