MANKATO, MINN. - The Washburn Ichabod Soccer Team will head to Mankato, Minnesota, to take on Missouri Western in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, with kickoff slated for 10 AM CT.

"I'm very proud of this year's team and the journey that we have been on to earn the chance to compete on the national stage tomorrow. I'm excited for the ladies to execute our brand of soccer and continue to grow within our game model as we compete for a National Championship. Missouri Western is a good team and well coached and it should be a really high-level college soccer game," said Washburn Head Coach Davy Phillips.

The Ichabods(11-3-5) are the No. 4 seed in the Central Region. 

Washburn enters the match after failing to win their past two matches, both against rival Emporia State, with a scoreless draw on senior day and a 3-2 loss in the first round of the MIAA Tournament.

Washburn & Missouri Western met earlier this year in St. Joseph, Mo. where the match ended in a 0-0 draw. 

Washburn's defense has been its focal point, just allowing 3 goals during the MIAA Regular Season, and scoring 20 during that span, and only allowing 60 shots on goal all season, while going forward, they put 125 shots on goal.

Defenders Rilyn Snyder & Shaye Taylor are 1-2 in minutes played this season while building a centerback partnership that only allowed 3 goals in conference play.

Senior Belle Kennedy anchors the Ichabods from the heart of the midfield. The Washburn Rural alum earned MIAA Defensive Player of the Year and All-MIAA First Team honors.

Washburn is led in goals & points by Freshman Leah Henke, who has nine goals on the year, and has added one assist so far this season.

Sophomore Sam Searcey has piled up 9 goal contributions on the season with 5 goals and 4 assists.

Kate Hinck has also found the back of the net five times this year in her Freshman campaign. 

Junior Mackinly Rohn has three goals on the year one being an olympico and also has an assist.

ABOUT MISSOURI WESTERN
The Griffons are 12-2-7 on the season and are coming off a MIAA Conference Tournament title, which booked their place in the NCAA Tournament. Missouri Western is the No. 5 seed in the Central Region bracket. 

SERIES HISTORY
Washburn leads the all-time series 16-12-1; the Ichabods have won 3 of the last 4 at Yager Stadium and 5 of the last 8 overall.

FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can keep up with Friday's match through live stats, live updates will be available on the team's official X (Twitter) account, @IchabodWSOC, and fans can also watch the match live.