By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The No. 19-ranked Washburn University soccer team is on the road for a pair of MIAA contests this weekend at Northwest Missouri and Missouri Western, beginning with a Friday game with the Bearcats that has MIAA title implications.
Washburn junior Kylie Hinrichs is congratulated by her teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in Sunday's 2-1 win over Fort Hays State. [File photo/TSN[
The Ichabods will face Northwest Missouri in a 3 p.m. game Friday before playing a 1 p.m. contest on Sunday at Missouri Western.
Washburn is 10-2-3 overall and 7-0-2 in the conference and currently atop the MIAA regular-season standings with 23 points with three games left to play.
Northwest Missouri is 10-4-0, 7-2-0, and is tied for second in the conference with 21 points, while the Griffons are 9-2-4, 5-2-2 entering a Friday contest with Emporia State.
"We're looking forward to the opportunity to test ourselves against really good competition this weekend,'' Ichabod coach Davy Phillips said. "(Northwest) is always well coached and a good team, and will be another good MIAA test for our group.
"I really love coaching this group, and I'm excited that our ladies continue to get the chance to play in important games this late in the season. It's so fun to be a part of."
Washburn is unbeaten in 11 straight matches and is coming off a successful two-week homestand with three wins and a tie, including a 1-0 victory over then-No. 12 Central Missouri.
Washburn had three different goal scorers this past weekend, all scoring their first goals of the season.
Former Washburn Rural star Mackinly Rohn, a junior, scored the game-winner against Central Missouri last Friday, while freshman Bricelyn Betts and junior Kylie Hinrichs scored their first career goals in Sunday's 2-1 win over Fort Hays State.
Washburn has outscored opponents 26-12 and outshot them as well 203-113.
Northwest Missouri has outscored its opponents 23-8, but has been outshot 179-172. In conference play, the Bearcats have losses to Central Missouri (2-1) and Pittsburg State (1-0).
Washburn leads the all-time series 16-10-5, and the series is split in Maryville 7-7-2.
