TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn Soccer's fell short in its season opener, dropping a 2-1 contest to Minot State on Thursday, Sept. 3 at Yager Stadium.
 
The Ichabods (0-1) looked strong early, as Sara Specht fired a shot on goal off a free kick in the 14th minute, but could not capitalize on the aggressive play to open the game.
 
WU fell behind, 1-0, in the 37th minute when MSU's Ninfa Ramirez broke away from the Ichabods' defense, scoring from mid-box on a shot that was partially deflected by keeper Kaitlin Minnich.
 
Just before the half, at 44:39, the Beavers' Emilie Rebelo found the net in the middle of a scrum in the box, putting WU down, 2-0.
 
Out of the break, teams traded runs until the 74th minute, when Cadence Bourne scored the Ichabods' first goal of the season, heading the ball into the net off Sara Specht's corner kick.
 
Minnich made several tough saves in the net, including a stuff on a breakaway midway through the second half, and a save on a close range attempt soon after the Ichabods' goal.  She finished the game with 11 saves.
 
Washburn pushed  offensivelyin the 15 minutes, but couldn't break through MSU's defense a second time, and fell short in the late rally.
 
Specht had two shots on goal for the night, picking up her fourth career assist.  Bourne's goal was the second of her career.
 
Washburn returns to the field on Sunday, Sept. 6 for a home match against Southwest Minnesota State.  Kickoff from Yager Stadium is set for 1 p.m.