By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University soccer coach Davy Phillips puts a talented starting lineup on the field every time the Ichabods take the field.
But the talent doesn't stop there, and Phillips credits the Ichabods' depth for being a big factor in the Ichabods' 11-2-4 start, including a league-leading 8-0-3 MIAA record and 13-match unbeaten streak, entering Wednesday's 6 p.m. regular-season finale against Emporia State in Yager Stadium.
Junior Kylie Hinrichs (19) scored her first career goal, the game-winner, in Washburn's recent 2-1 soccer win over Fort Hays State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn sophomore Sam Searcey has five goals and three assists on the season for the MIAA-leading Ichabods, [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"The strength is in the collective in this group, truly,'' Phillips said. "We've said it for a couple of years, but I just feel like we got deeper this year. Our depth is definitely a strength of ours.''
Washburn players who primarily come off the bench have accounted for nine of the Ichabods' 28 goals on the season while providing six of the team's 13 assists.
Washburn freshman Bricelyn Betts is mobbed by her teammates after scoring a goal in the Ichabods' 2-1 MIAA win over Fort Hays State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Sophomore Sam Searcey (Lincoln, Neb.), who has come off the bench in 13 of 17 games, ranks second on the team with five goals and has also contributed a team-leading three assists, while freshman Jules Wardlaw (Olathe West) has a pair of goals, freshman Bricelyn Betts (Raymore, Mo.) has a goal and two assists and junior Kylie Hinrichs (Elkhorn, Neb.) has one goal, a game-winner, for the Ichabods.
"There's zero dropoff and it makes for really hard conversations as a coach explaining to players how fine that line is and why certain players get to start versus not, but if you can get past that and just concentrate on the strength it gives our team being that deep at every position, it's an incredible strength for us,'' Phillips said.
A perfect example of that bench strength was on display in Washburn's most recent home game, a 2-1 win over Fort Hays State, as Betts and Hinrichs both recorded their first career goals while Searcey provided the assist on both goals.
"It's kind of crazy how we have such a good second lineup that it's almost like you barely see a dropoff when we go in, which is really unique at this level,'' Hinrichs said.
Betts said the key for the players coming off the bench is to provide energy and a spark when possible.
"It's just like there'a already momentum going and we just want to keep it going,'' Betts said. "Energy coming out and making a difference is definitely what we really strive to do and something that Davy emphasizes really heavily.''
The Ichabods lead the MIAA standings with 27 points heading into Wednesday's match against the Hornets, with Pittsburg State in second with 26 points.
Emporia State enters Wednesday's game with an 8-5-4 overall record and a 5-2-4 mark in the conference after a pair of 0-0 ties last weekend against Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri.
Former Topeka High standout Avery Zimmerman, a sophomore forward, has two goals on the season for the Hornets, including a game-winner, while appearing in all 17 games with 16 starts.
