TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn senior Cassidy Meadows scored on a header in the 85th minute, but the Ichabods rally was cut short as they fell to Nebraska-Kearney 2-1 in the conference opener Sunday afternoon. With the loss, Washburn is 4-4 overall and 0-1 in the MIAA.

The Lopers got on the board first in the 32nd minute of play when Alex Dayton found the back of the net from 20 yards out. Nebraska-Kearney scored again just four minutes later in the 36th minute. Kassidy Kirsch dribbled the ball down the field before handing it off to Maddie Love who netted her second goal of the season and put the Lopers up 2-0.

Washburn's offense was limited to three shots in the first half with one on target. Nebraska-Kearney attempted five shot, four of those being on goal. 

Coming out of halftime, the Ichabods offense started out a little slow but picked up momentum halfway through the second period and put UNK's keeper, Allie Prososki, to work. A foul committed by UNK set up a free kick taken by Mattie Miano in the 85th minute. Miano launched the ball right in front of the net where Meadows jumped above the others in the scuffle and was able to get a header goal from five yards out to put the game within one goal. 

Washburn held the final possession as time ran down, but its last shot attempt in the final three seconds went wide of the goal.

Both WU and UNK tied in shots taken with 12 apiece while Washburn outshot Nebraska-Kearney in the second half, 9-7. The Lopers led the match 7-5 in shots on goal. 

For the Ichabods, goalie Whitney Bockover pulled down five saves. Defender Meadows scored her first career goal for Washburn. Tera Lynch attempted three shots, one on target. Josie Rimmer took two shots and had one on goal. Also recording a shot on goal were Olivia Grasso and Mackenzie Menke.

The Ichabods will continue MIAA play next week on the road. Washburn will take on the Northwest Missouri Bearcats on Friday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. in Maryville, Mo. The Ichabods will travel next to St. Joseph, Mo., and face Missouri Western on Sunday, Sept. 30. The game is scheduled to start at noon.