The Ichabods soccer team extended their unbeaten start to four games this season after drawing level 0-0 with the Miners of Missouri S&T at Yager Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2022.

Washburn was often on the cusp of scoring throughout both halves, most closely when sophomore forward Khloe Schuckman struck the crossbar from 30 yards out.

Nine other shots nor 13 corners catalyzed into a goal for the Ichabods on the day. At the other end of the field, senior goalkeeper Raegan Wells was spurred into action only once and averted the danger unfazed.

Head coach Davy Phillips attributes the team’s ability to grind out positive results to their collective effort and organization. Currently, the team’s leading goal creator happens to be starting games on the sideline.

“Our work rate is first-class and keeps us in every game,” Phillips said. “If we keep it up, we can go far.”

The Ichabods spent a lot of work against Missouri S&T recovering possession after errant passes and physically recovering hard fouls. The referee pulled out the yellow card six times for tackles in the second half and stopped play for injury assessment twice.

Luckily for the Ichabods, freshman midfielder Belle Kennedy didn’t receive a second yellow in the final minutes of the game, when she shoulder-barged a Miner opponent occupying her personal space too long after a tackle.

Phillips is confident that moving senior Jaedyn Johnson to forward will help nudge the Ichabods over the line in tight situations this year.

“She’s played outside back, she’s played holding mid and she’s played attacking mid, so she can play any position,” Phillips said. “But she’s a fantastic ball striker and that allows her to be a really good finisher. It’s about getting her in front of goal and letting her hit the ball.”

Johnson also attributes the successful start to the collective group.

“I think our team has really come together cohesively. Our chemistry is really good,” Johnson said.

Edited by: Alijah McCracken, LeSha’ Davis