After a 2-1 start to their season, the Lady Ichabod soccer team finally returned to Yager Stadium for their home opener against Oklahoma Baptist University. Washburn saw OBU strike first before tying the game just before the half and then struggled to capitalize on some second half opportunities that eventually led to the 4-1 defeat.

The Lady Bison took control early as a long kick into the 6-yard box was knocked home for a goal by Abigail Parker. She was assisted by Jennifer Goethe and just eight and half minutes into the game the Lady Bison led 1-0.

The game looked to be going to the half with the same 1-0 score until the 43-minute when the Ichabod’s earned a corner kick. Kelsi Smith took the kick, and with an assist by Ryanne Serrone-Brown, Olivia Grasso was able to tap it home for the goal that tied the match with just two and half minutes to play before the half.

The second half was dominated by the Lady Bison. They received goals from Hannah White and Kerregan Edwards to open up a 3-1 advantage.

Washburn had a couple opportunities to answer, but Kristen Burns’ shot in the 71-minute was saved by Lady Bison goalkeeper Emily Griffith. Another opportunity presented itself in the 77-minute when Tera Lynch took a corner kick. The Lady Ichabod’s had a chance to tap it in but it was cleared by the OBU defense.

Not even three minutes later Oklahoma Baptist had mounted another attack and off an assist by Tori Kitchel, Kelsi Mensen scored for the Lady Bison to effectively put the game out of reach.

In the 11 minutes, Washburn got two more, but they were either knocked down or saved by OBU goalkeeper.

In the game, Washburn took nine shots with seven of those being shots on goal, but only one of those was able to find the back of the net with that being Grasso’s goal just before the half. Lady Ichabod goalkeeper Riley Trent totaled two saves, both coming in the first half. Both teams took four corner kicks, three in the first half and one in the second half for both sides.

The Lady Ichabod’s will play against Nebraska-Kearney this Friday and then go south to Emporia for a matchup with Emporia State. Washburn will return home Friday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 23 for a two game homestand against Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney again.