By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
MATTHEWS, NC. -- No. 2 final four seed Washburn will play for a national championship for the first time in program history after a 1-0 semifinal win over No. 2 Adelphi University on Thursday afternoon.
The Ichabods will take on No. 4 seed Point Loma in the championship on Saturday at 11 a.m. Central Time.
Freshman Mackinly Rohn (24) is congratulated by her Washburn teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in Thursday's 1-0 win over Adelphi. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Washburn's soccer team hoists the updated final four bracket after Thursday's 1-0 semifinal win over Adelphi. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
A 56th minute goal by former Washburn Rural standout Mackinly Rohn was the difference in the semifinal match and moved Washburn into the final match of the season.
"Credit to Adelphi,'' Washburn coach Davy Phillips said. "They're a great team and made it really hard on us. They were super organized, but I'm super happy for my team the way they were able to just stick with the game plan and (pull) it out.''
The Ichabod offense pressured the goal all afternoon as they outshot the Panthers 20 to three, including 13 to two in the second half.
Washburn's soccer team rushes the field at the conclusion of Thursday's 1-0 win over Adelphi in the NCAA national semifinals. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Washburn had seven shots in the first half, with five of them going on goal, while holding Adelphi to just one shot overall, which landed off target.
Finally, Rohn, a freshman, was able to find the back of the net after a shot by Khloe Schuckman was deflected to the left side of the field just in front of the goal.
For the game the Ichabods ended with 11 shots on goal and the Panthers managed only one.
Fifth-year senior Raegan Wells completed a second straight shutout, her 12th solo blank slate of the season and the 13th combined. She made one save in the match with the defensive trio of Jordan Tenpas, Lakin Rold and Taylor Bockover playing all 90 minutes of the match.
"I think this is somehing you only dream of, coming back for my fifth year and you end up in the championship,'' Wells said. "I'm so happy and happy for the girls and everyone on the team.''
"I think sometimes it's hard for goalkeepers to stay engaged when they don't see a whole lot of stuff so credit to (Raegan), she was on point the whole game and made a couple of big saves down the stretch when we needed her,'' Phillips said.
The 20 shots by Washburn are a season high. Schuckman led the way in that department, with all five of her shots going on goal. Belle Kennedy and Jadyn Allen each took three swings at the goal, with two going on target.
Alexis Hellman had all three shot attempts for the Panthers and Krista Aliscio made 10 saves playing all 90 minutes in goal.
Washburn's soccer team celebrates its fans after Thursday's 1-0 win over Adelphi in the national semifinals. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
The Ichabods have won five straight matches by a single goal to reach the final round.
Both of Washburn's last two goals have been scored by freshmen in the second half of the match -- Grace Peterson against Grand Valley State and Rohn on Thursday.
Wells has led the Ichabod defense to three shutouts in the NCAA Tournament.
The Ichabods are now 7-2 all-time in the NCAA Tournament in their third appearance.
Washburn will face a Point Loma team in the championship match that advanced with a 3-0 win over No. 1 seed Florida Tech in the semifinals.
"Point Loma is an incredible team, obviously,'' Phillips said. "They've had a lot of success. It's going to be a really good championship game, and how it should be.''
