By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The Washburn Ichabod soccer team, in the midst of a nine-game unbeaten streak, will be at home Friday to face No. 12-ranked Central Missouri in a 6 p.m. MIAA contest in Yager Stadium.
Freshman Leah Henke leads Washburn soccer with nine goals entering Friday's home MIAA match against Central Missouri. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn is 8-2-3 overall and 5-0-2 in the MIAA 5-0-2, while Central Missouri, 8-2-4, 5-0-3 MIAA 5-0-3, comes in on a 10-game unbeaten run, with seven wins and three ties.
"UCM is a well-coached and talented team,'' Washburn coach Davy Phillips said. "It's really fun playing in meaningful, big-time college soccer games this late in the season, so I'm excited that our ladies have earned the opportunity to compete in matchups like what Friday night offers.
"I'm looking forward to coaching our team, playing with the right mentality, and putting in another really good performance this Friday."
The Ichabods remain ranked No. 6 for the second straight week in the United Soccer Coaches Central Region Poll. Washburn currently sits third in the MIAA standings with 17 points, just one point back of league-leaders Central Missouri and Northwest Missouri State.
Offensively, Washburn is powered by freshman Leah Henke, who leads the team with nine goals, ranking second in the MIAA and tied for 22nd nationally.
As a team, the Ichabods have outscored opponents 23-11 and outshot them, 181-101.
The Jennies have been nationally ranked for eight consecutive weeks, climbing as high as No. 9 in the country.
UCM is coming off a 1-0-1 weekend, featuring a scoreless draw against Central Oklahoma and a 3-0 victory over Newman on Sunday.
Junior forward Mikayla Ernst leads the Jennies' attack with 11 goals this season, ranking fourth nationally. Earlier this year, she had a four-goal performance in a win over Harding.
Central Missouri leads the all-time series 25-8-1, but Washburn has won the last three matchups, including two victories at Yager Stadium.
The Ichabods will also be at home Sunday afternoon to take on the Fort Hays State Tigers at 1 p.m.
