By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The No. 16-ranked Washburn University women's soccer team will continue its MIAA Tournament bid at 3 p.m. Thursday with a semifinal showdown with Central Oklahoma at Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita.
Washburn senior Khloe Schuckman (11) leads the Ichabods with nine goals entering Thursday's MIAA Tournament semifinal against Central Oklahoma. [File photo/TSN]
The Ichabods, who won the MIAA regular season championship to earn the top tournament seed, are coming off a 2-1 home win over Fort Hays State on Sunday in the quarterfinal round.
Washburn avenged its only MIAA loss with Sunday's win over Fort Hays State and now has a chance to avenge its only conference tie, an 0-0 draw with the Bronchos on Sep. 27 at Yager Stadium.
"We caught them earlier in the season so I think this is kind of like a revenge match for us,'' WU senior midfielder Cloe Quintana said. "That's our head space going in that we want to be able to get that result over them, so I feel like that helps to motivate us and I think we're all really excited to play in the semifinals again.
"I feel like we've been preparing for this moment all year and now it's just knowing who we are, executing our game model and being able to push through any adversity that we face during each game.''
Washburn, 14-3-2 on the season, got goals from freshman Sam Searcey and senior Khloe Schuckman scored the Ichabods' goals in the win over Fort Hays State.
Searcey, the lone freshman on the Ichabod roster, scored the opening goal in the 28th minute against Fort Hays State, receiving a cross from Lindsey Maul in the six-yard box. The goal was Searcey's first of her collegiate career.
Schuckman scored her team-high ninth goal of the season in the 69th minute to give Washburn a 2-0 lead as Lakin Rold earned the assist on the play, crossing the ball into the box where Schuckman scored after the Tiger goalkeeper deflected the cross.
WU goalkeeper Alli Harrington made an incredible save in the 60th minute, leaping to stop a close-range shot and pushing the ball up against the crossbar. Harrington has compiled a 5-1-0 record since taking over the starting goalkeeper position after a knee injury to Hailey Beck.
Eight Ichabods earned a place on the All-MIAA teams announced last week, with senior Josie Boyle, junior Belle Kennedy and Khloe Schuckman earning first team honors.
Beck, Jordan Tenpas and Viviana Soto-Herrera made the second team, Maul was selected for the third team, while Rold received honorable mention.
Washburn coach Davy Phillips, whose Ichabods played for the national championship last season, said he feels like his team can play with anybody when it's on top of its game.
"That's the only thing we talk about every day,'' Phillips said. "Our film we spend maybe five minutes looking at the opponent is all and we are trying to play to our best standards and there's certain objectives and things we look to accomplish every day and I think if we can hit most of those things we're going to be in a good place most of the time.''
UCO went 11-5-3 this season, finishing 7-2-3 in MIAA play and earning the No. 4 seed for the MIAA Tournament.
The Bronchos defeated Northeastern State 1-0 in overtime in the quarterfinals. Rebecca Tweedy scored the game-winner in the 93rd minute to send the Bronchos to Wichita.
UCO's Rebekah George was named the 2024 MIAA Offensive Player of the Year after scoring seven goals and adding two assists in conference play.
Caleah Carter, Harmony Turner and Emma Nicholas shared the team lead with four assists each. Nicholas was an All-MIAA third-team selection for the Bronchos.
Stormie Ramsey and Madison Linavong earned All-MIAA second-team honors for UCO.
Avery Bass has made 16 starts in goal, making 65 saves with a goals against average of 1.11.
Washburn is 3-12-2 all-time against Central Oklahoma.
If the Ichabods defeat the Bronchos, Washburn will advance to the MIAA Championship held on Saturday at Stryker.
Missouri Western and Central Missouri will face off in the other semifinal match.
The NCAA Tournament begins on Thursday, Nov. 21, and concludes with the National Championship game on Saturday, Dec. 14.
