By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The No. 23 nationally-ranked Washburn University soccer team returns to Yager Stadium this weekend, hosting Missouri Southern at 6 p.m. on Friday and No. 8-ranked Central Missouri at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Washburn is 10-1-1 in the 2023 season, needing just one victory to equal its 2022 win total in an 11-6-2 campaign.
Former Washburn Rural star Belle Kennedy (12) had a goal and an assist last weekend as Washburn soccer went 1-0-1 in two MIAA matches. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Washburn Rural product Mackinly Rohn (center) continued her outstanding freshman season for Washburn soccer with a goal and an assist last weekend. [File photo/TSN]
WU is currently tied for first in the MIAA through five conference matches with Central Missouri and Fort Hays State.
Washburn set a program record with nine straight wins and has currently not lost in 10 matches, the most for the program since 2006.
Washburn went on the road last week for the first time in conference play and posted a 1-0 win over Missouri Western and a 1-1 tie with Northwest Missouri.
WU senior goalkeeper Raegan Wells started both games last weekend, playing all 180 minutes and making seven total saves.
Wells recorded her sixth solo shutout in the win over the Griffons.
Former Washburn Rural stars Belle Kennedy and Mackinly Rohn connected with each other on both Washburn goals over the weekend, with Rohn dishing to Kennedy in Friday evening's match and Kennedy setting up Rohn for the first goal of the match on Sunday.
Jordan Tenpas and Josie Boyle both played all 90 minutes of both matches, helping to allow just one goal over the weekend.
The Ichabods are first or tied for first in the MIAA in total points, total goals, total assists, total points, shutouts and scoring offense.
Tanksley is tied for second nationally in game-winning goals with four on the year.
Rohn is tied for fifth in the nation in assists with seven and tied for 13th in assists per game. She holds the top spot in the MIAA in both categories.
Rohn and Ana Muruzabal are tied for third in the MIAA in total points while Wells is tied for 10th in the nation and for first in the MIAA in shutouts with six.
Muruzabal leads Washburn in goals with five and is tied for the lead in points with 13, doing so in 403 minutes of total action.
Washburn coach Davy Phillips is two wins away from 100 in his career at Washburn and Baker.
Missouri Southern is 0-10-2 on the year after a 2-1 home loss to Rogers State last Sunday.
Central Missouri is 9-2-1 on the season and are ranked No. 8 in the latest USCA poll.
Washburn begins a three match road trip first next Friday against Central Oklahoma before facing Newman on Sunday, Oct. 2
