Washburn looks clear for entry into the MIAA playoffs with two games to spare after a very windy 1-0 win against the Lions of Missouri Southern on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, at Yager Stadium.

And all without the team’s linchpin senior midfielder Tera Lynch. The crucial play happened right after half time when senior defender Olivia Harriger’s quick reaction knocked in an unclaimed ball from six yards out.

While Washburn attacks had typically fizzled out on the day, there were plenty of comfortable chances for them to try again because the defense dictated the direction of play for both halves.

“All of our backs kept us in the game and gave us a chance to go find the goal,” said Head Coach Davy Phillips.

The win comes two days after losing a lead to then-first-placed Central Missouri in the final minute.

“[The players] applied some of those lessons today in a tight match with the time winding down. That’s what we ask them, to continue to progress and develop every game and learn lessons. I thought they did that this week, and as heartbreaking as Friday night was, maybe it paid off today,” Phillips said.

While home field advantage during the playoffs is unattainable for the Ichabods, there are two games left to climb one spot in the MIAA standings, which would see the Ichabods visit the 4th ranked team, instead of the 3rd ranked team, come the first round elimination game on Nov. 7, 2021.

This means Phillips can decide whether to rest certain players or keep them operating within the group’s current rhythm.

“We’ll evaluate that as the week goes on. Emporia State is a grudge match, though. So there’s more than just the playoffs at stake,” Phillips said.

The Hornets will also be visiting Topeka as the league’s newly top-ranked team when they visit on Oct. 29.

Match minutes

17’ Midfielder Viviana Soto-Herrera has a shot from outside the box that flies a couple yards wide the way the wind is blowing.

27’ Lions free kick makes goalkeeper Raegan Wells leap to shield the top corner, just in case, but it goes over.

30’ Last two Lions attacks ended in Wells’ hands, both non-threatening shots on-target.

34’ Midfielder Mackenzie Menke, in an identical situation as her spectacular goal from Friday night, shoots on the move and the ball goes less than a yard high of the crossbar.

37’ Lions free kick delivery bounces into the middle of the box. Washburn is lucky it travelled unharmed to an Ichabod’s feet.

44’ YELLOW CARD Washburn midfielder Jadyn Allen is booked for a tackle.

48’ Mackenzie Menke is over a Washburn free kick at the top of the box. Her shot stays down and ricochets off a Lions player out for a corner.

48’ GOAL Olivia Harriger, right place, right time. She slots it past the keeper from six yards out after the initial corner was knocked out and sent back in.

59’ Harriger makes a crucial sliding tackle in the box on a Lions player that would have been in on goal.

65’ Washburn forward Khloe Schuckman does everything right: the first touch; weave around the last defender; but the shot was like those moments in dreams when you can’t run, like the surface turned to sand. Another instance of the freshman displaying massive potential.

74’ Vivi Soto is subbed with an injury to her right ankle.

76’ 50/50 in the box and Wells comes off her line to smother it. There was a collision that followed involving multiple players on both teams that the referee had to sort out. No cards. Dead ball start to Wells.

80’ Menke connects nicely on a bouncing volley but it stays slightly high and over the crossbar.

Edited by Kyle Manthe
Edited by Ellie Walker