TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn finishes their long road stretch with two tough games against Nebraska-Kearney and No. 6 Emporia State. 
 

Washburn Notes and Headlines
 

Washburn Soccer Starts Season 3-0

The Washburn soccer team opens the 2021 campaign with three wins. Washburn's fourth game against Oklahoma Christian was unfortunately canceled. The last time the Ichabods started the season 3-0 was their 2006 season. They went on to go 15-1-6 and make it all the way to the NCAA Second Round .Looking to stay undefeated the Ichabods continue their road trip to Kearney, Nebraska to face the Lopers.

Come From Behind Victories

• In the last two games against Augustana and Missouri - St. Louis, the Ichabods have had to come back from a 1-0 deficit.
• Against Agustana, two fouls (a free kick and a penalty kick) saved Washburn in the second half
• Against UMSL, Schuckman scored her first two collegiate goals with some help from Lynch, Bockover and Harriger

Defense Holds Strong

• The offense has stepped up but it has been the defense that has kept the Ichabods in games
• The three headed monster of Carlee Thompson, Mattie Miano, and Emily Michaelis on the defense has been lockdown. Those three have missed just nine minutes of playing time. 

Wells is Hitting Her Stride

• Raegan Wells saw very little action in the season opener against William Jewell seeing just three and only having to make one save
• However in the last twogames against Augustana and UMSL, she has faced 32 shots total. She let up an early goal when acing the VIkings but since then Wells has played well.
• Against Augustana she made four saves after a tough start and then played her best game against the Tritons making five saves
• In the game against Missouri-St. Louis, Wells faced her most shots of the season (17) and hung in there with five saves and just one goal against. Held the Tritons scoreless for 68 minutes

Tough Challenges Await

• The biggest challenge comes this weekend on Sunday when the Ichabods travel to sixth ranked Emporia State
• It doesn't end there as the MIAA on its own includes No. 6 Emporia State, No. 13 Missouri Western and No. 18 Central Missouri. Also Central Oklahoma is 2-2 however received votes for the top 25 preseason poll

Game 1: Washburn vs. Nebraska Kearney

Game Information

Date: Friday, September 17, 2021

Time: 6 p.m. CT

Location: Kearney, Nebraska

Venue: Ron & Carol Cope Stadium

Live Stats: https://wusports.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary

Scouting Nebraska-Kearney

The Lopers had a tough 2019 season as they went 2-9-7 and winning just one game in the conference. It didn't get much much better in the spring season. 

Close Games

• This year, the Lopers had a good start winning their first game in the NSC Classic. They proceeded to lose three straight games as they stand 1-3 on the season.
• Their record might not tell the whole story, all for of their games have been 1 goal games. The Lopers' only win to MSU-Moorhead had a final score of 1-0 and the three losses were also 1-0.
• In their last game against Augustana on Sept. 12, UNK took the Vikings into overtime before letting up the winning goal.

End of the Home Stand

• Other than the two nuetral games at the NSU Classic, the rest of the Lopers games have been at home
• Their last home game before hitting a tough road schedule is hosting Washburn on Friday

Hardest Stretch of the Season

• In the Lopers next four games, they not only play Washburn times(once in Topeka) but also play Fort Hayes and Emporia on the road. Emporia is ranked No. 6 nationally
• Those 3 teams have a combined record of 9-1-1
• The road game against Washburn starts their MIAA schedule

Standout Players

• Redshirt Freshman Aspen Brandich
  • Brandich joined the squad in 2020 but this is her first official season
  • Brandich is one of five players who have started in all four games. The Lopers have mixed in a lot of players to start the season.
  • She hasthe lone goal for the Lopers in their lone win against MSU-Moorhead. She has shot five times with three shots on-goal
• Fifth Year Forward Kassidy Kirsch
  • Kirsch is one of two 5th year players on the squad. Both of them are the captains
  • While Kirschhas not taken any shots she has played 304 minutes in their first four games which is third on the team behind two defenders
  • Her presence as a leader on the pitch is vital to their success
• Defenders Dolcie Hanlon and Megan Cook
  • Cook leads the team with 368 minutes play and Hanlon not far behind as she has played 366 minutes
  • As a defensive unit, they have allowed just three goals in four games, keeping the Lopers within one score every game
  • Cook is the other fifth year and captain so once again her leadership has come in huge

About the Coach

• Head Coach Chloe Roberts is entering his fourth fall soccer season
• Named the third head coach in UNK history
• Previously served as an assistant coach and graduate assistant coach st Nebraska Kearney
• Played collegiately at North Alabama from 2009-12. She was the Daktronics 2011 Player of the Year, four-time All-American and tallied a school-record 93 goals
• In 2020, she was named Gulf South Conference Player of the Decade and made the All-Decade Squad
•  Played professionally with the Colorado Rapids and the Atlanta Silverbacks

Game 2: Washburn vs. Emporia State

Game Information

Date: Sunday, September 19, 2021

Time: 2 p.m. CT

Location: Emporia, Kansas

Venue: ESU Soccer Pitch

Live Stats: https://wusports.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary

Scouting Oklahoma Christian

Emporia State University of the MIAA Conference broke out in 2018 going 14-6-1 and then in 2019 the Hornets went 13-4-3 overall. Now in 2021, they have rolled to a 4-0 record. In the United Soccer Coaches ranking they sit No. 1 in the Central Region and No. 6 nationally.

Dominating the Competition

• The Hornets on the season have outscored their opponents 15-3 with two shutouts
• The only game the score difference has been less than three was in Emporia's first game against Rockhurst. The Hornets defeated Rockhurst 1-0
• ESU's offense is nationally ranked No.5 in scoring - 3.75

Continue Their Climb

• The Hornets were not ranked in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Preseason Poll
• After week 1 and two wins, Emporia moved all the way up to No. 15
• This week, Emporia is ranked No. 6 nationally after two dominating wins over Colorado State - Pueblo and Colorado Christian

Starting Season 4-0

• Best start to a season in a least the past 10 years
• The Hornets have played well in non-conference games in recent memory. In the last 4 seasons they have a non-conference record of 20-8-3. In the last 10 years they are 40-29-10
• Two tough games this weekend, facing Fort Hays and Washburn before conference play

Standout Players

• Junior Forward Mackenzie Dimarco
  • Not only is Dimarco the top goal scorer on the Hornets but she is also the top goal scorer in the entire MIAA. Her five goals rank No. 2 national as she leads the No. 5 scoring offense in Division 2
  • Dimarco was named last weeks MIAA Offensive Player of the Week. She scored 3 goals for the week
  • She also leads the conference in game-winning goals, points,shots and shots on goal
• Junior Midfielder Hannah Woolery
  • Let's not forget about Woolery who also lands in the top 25 in the nation in goals scored with three (third in MIAA)
  • She not only takes shots but also she creates them. Woolery leads the MIAA with three assists along side her teammate Joanie Westcoat. That puts them both fourth in the nation
• Junior Defender Joaine Westcoat
  • Speaking of Westcoat, she also excelled last week as she won MIAA Defender of the Week. She led a defense that allowed just 15 shots and only five on goal over two matches. Also she had an assist in their win against Colorado Christian
  • Again she leads the MIAA with three assists which is fourth in Division 2
  • Does a little of everything. Westcoat defends well, creates shots, and scores as she has one goal

About the Coach

• Head Coach Bryan Sailer entering his 10th season
• Previously was the head women's coach at Barton Community College, head boy's coach at Greely West High School, and head girl's and boy's coach at fort Collins High School
• Sailer played collegiately at Monroe Community College and was all-conference pick at State University of New York-Brockport