By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University soccer advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen Sunday after outlasting top seed Minnesota State 4-2 in penalty kicks in Mankato, Minn.
Washburn soccer celebrates after Sunday's 4-2 penalty kick win over top seed Minnesota State in Mankato, Minn. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
"We have talked about the character in the team all year long, in overtime and the shootout, our character got to show a little bit,'' Washburn coach Davy Phillips said. "We get another chance to grow together, continue to train together, and to play in meaningful games together.''
The Ichabods would come out controlling the match with their pressing style of soccer and would open the scoring in the 12th minute of the match, with MIAA freshman of the year Leah Henke converting after a save from the Mavericks' goalie after a shot by Grace Peterson.
Both teams took seven shots in the half, and both goalies had two saves at the break.
The Ichabods would come out with four shots in the opening 12 minutes of the second half, looking for a crucial second goal, but in the 60th minute, the Mavericks would find the equalizer through Maille Mathis, tying things up at 1-1.
The last 30 minutes of the match were back and forth between the teams. The Ichabods would take 13 shots in the second half while Minnesota State took six, and both had three shots on goal.
In the two 10-minute periods of overtime, the Mavericks would be in control, but could not find the back of the net as Washburn freshman goalkeeper Lili Everley would make four saves over the two OT periods to force penalty kicks.
Washburn went up 1-0 in PKs on a conversion from Shaye Taylor, but Minnesota State pulled even on a shot from Maddix Archer.
Both keepers came up with saves before Lakin Rold put WU up 2-1.
After a Maverick miss, Mackinly Rohn put the Ichabods in front 3-1.
Courtney Kovacs converted for Minnesota State to cut the Maverick deficit to 3-2 but Washburn freshman Kate Hinck found the back of the net to end the match.
With the win, Washburn advances to the Sweet Sixteen for the second time in school history.
The Ichabods are now 2-2 in penalty kicks in the NCAA tournament.
Everley made nine saves, breaking her season/career high that she previously set on Friday in a 2-0 win over Missouri Western.
Henke scored her 11th goal of the season, moving into a tie for fourth with Khloe Schuckman, who scored 11 goals during the 2023 campaign when the Ichabods were NCAA finalists.
Washburn will take on the Huskies of St. Cloud State in the Sweet Sixteen next Sunday, November 30th, with the site and time forthcoming.
