The game was long, and most of all, it was competitive and tense; but, when the referee blew the final whistle at Yager Stadium, Nov. 3, 2023, the Washburn Ichabods were victorious against Missouri Western State University.

When the game started at 6 p.m., expectations were as high as ever. From that game onward, it was either win and continue in the MIAA Tournament, or hang up the cleats and train for the next season. 

After a few attempts, the first goal for the Ichabods was scored by Belle Kennedy, sophomore midfielder, and assisted by Aubrey Tanksley, sophomore forward, at 9:49 minutes into the first half. The crowd made noise, while the girls celebrated and the feeling of victory got the fans cheering even more.

Camrin Peaslee, Missouri Western player, in a counterattack, tied the game at 27:25 into the first half. The stadium was in a tense atmosphere as fans waited for the start of the second half, and as soon as the ball rolled at the referee’s whistle, it didn’t take long for Missouri Western to break the tie at 50:27. 

The effort of the players and the noise of the fans was well rewarded soon after with a play by Riley Wells, junior forward, who scored a  goal at 67:16 during the second half. This brought the Ichabods back into the game with much more energy and expectations of victory. 

There was much effort into overtime to decide who would go home and who would continue to play in the tournament. There were yellow cards, many shots on goal, defensive plays and much effort until the end of the second half of the overtime.

“I’m so excited it was just such a general rush the whole game but that’s like the games that you look for your whole life to play in one of these,” said Raegan Wells, senior goalkeeper.

Lindsey Maul, freshman defender, made sure to end the game with a goal, sending the Washburn Ichabods into the next round against Emporia State University. 

“I’m really proud of the girls. I thought we executed the game model from start to finish to lapses as all we got punished both times but really proud of the effort and the execution,” Davy Phillips, head coach. “It’s hard to win tournament games and to do it and overtime was an incredible effort from the ladies.”

The Ichabods are set to play in the MIAA Semifinals in Wichita, Kansas, Nov. 9.

Edited by Jayme Thompson, Jeremy Ford and Aja Carter