Match Information - Week 1

• Southwest Minnesota • Thurs., Aug. 31 • 4:30 p.m. • Fayette, Iowa
• Upper Iowa • Sat., Sept. 1 • 2:30 p.m. • Fayette, Iowa

Take a Look Ahead

• The Washburn Ichabods will open the 2018 season on the road in Fayetteville, Iowa for two games at the Peacock Soccer Classic.
• Washburn has opened the past two consecutive seasons against Southwest Minnesota and Upper Iowa. 
• This will be the first time the Ichabods have ever played a match in Fayette, Iowa.
• the Ichabods were picked seventh in the 2018 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll. 

 Last Time Out

• Washburn reached the semifinal round of the MIAA Tournament for the first time since 2013 and faced Missouri Western.
• The Griffons scored a goal with 12 seconds left in the first half to make the score 1-0.
• The Ichabods got off 13 shots total with four of those on goal.
• Five of the Griffons' 21 shots were on goal.
• Ichabod goalie, Kaitlin Minnich, made four saves in the match.  
• Unfortunately, the Bods couldn't find the back of the net and fell 1-0.
• Washburn closed out the 2017 season with a record of 10-9-1, its first season above .500 since 2009.

 Opening Series

• The Ichabods are a 12-16-2 in the opening two games of the season since the program began in 2003.
• When on the road to start the season, Washburn is 9-13.
• In the first two games of the season, Davy Phillips holds a combined 6-2 record between his time at Baker and Washburn.

 Welcome Back

• Fourteen lettermen, including eight starters (those who started at least 50% of games in 2017) are returning from last season to take on 2018.
• Tera Lynch, Makenzie Heiman, Olivia Grasso, Paige Swanson, and Ellie Karloff return to the field after receiving All-MIAA accolades last season.
• Lynch, a midfielder, was named to the All-ConferenceThird Team.
• Defender Heiman, midfielder Grasso, and forwards Karloff and Swanson received All-MIAA Honorable Mention honors.

 A Fresh Start

• Fourteen incoming freshman have flooded the 2018 roster.
• The newcomers are mixed in with seven sophomores, three juniors, and seven seniors on this year's squad.

 Some Real Kickers

• Paige Swanson and Ellie Karloff finished last season tied for the team high in goals with five apiece.
• Another top-goal scorer returns in Kelsi Smith. She finished last season with three in the back of the net.
• In addition to scoring two goals in 2017, Tera Lynch tied with Paige Ledsema for the team-high in assists with three. 

 'Bods and Ends

• Davy Phillips will begin his second season at the helm for the Ichabods.
• There will be new faces protecting the goal for Washburn this season. Sophomore Riley Trent and freshman Bailee Russell will compete for time in the net.
• The Bods kicked off the 2017 season with two 2-0 shutout victories over Southwest Minnesota and Upper Iowa.

 Scouting the Opponents

 Southwest Minnesota 
 Series History: The Ichabods hold a 3-1-1 advantage over the Mustangs. In the matchup between both teams last year, Washburn shutout Southwest Minnesota 2-0.

 Scouting Report: Southwest Minnesota is coming off a rough season, winning just one game in 2017. The team goes into the new season without last year's senior leader, Amanda Hartmann, who led the team in goals and   assists. However, the Mustangs have several players they are hoping to fill that role. Junior forward Alli Miskowiec and senior defender Morgan Darner were named to the 2018 NSIC Players to Watch list. Miskowiec scored the   second most goals on the team last season with two.

 Upper Iowa 
 Series History: After two meetings, the series is tied 1-1. The Ichabods are hoping to continue the momentum from its  2-0 victory over the Peacocks last season.

 Scouting Report:  Upper Iowa was ranked 11th in the preseason NSIC Coaches' Poll heading into the 2018 after going 7-10 last year. The team welcomes 13 new players to mix with 11 returners on this year's squad. Seniors   Jordyn Ostrowski (forward) and Kelsey Hall (defender) appeared on the conference Players to Watch list. Ostrowski led the team with six goals in 2017. 

 The MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

• The Washburn Ichabods were picked seventh in the 2018 MIAA preseason poll.
• Washburn finished sixth in the league standings at the close of the 2017 season.
  1. Central Missouri (11) - 121
  2. Missouri Western (1) - 108
  3. Northeastern State - 98
  4. Fort Hays State - 88
  5. Central Oklahoma - 85
  6. Missouri Southern - 66
  7. Washburn - 62
  8. Emporia State - 45
  9. Lindenwood - 43
  10. Northwest Missouri - 40
  11. Nebraska Kearney - 23
  12. Southwest Baptist - 14
  ( ) indicates first place votes.