By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
ASHLAND, Ohio -- Washburn University soccer is heading to the NCAA National Tournament semifinals for the first time in program history after defeating Grand Valley State 1-0 Sunday in the Elite Eight.
Washburn soccer poses for a team picture after earning a trip to the final four in North Carolina with Sunday's 1-0 win over Grand Valley State. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
The Ichabods will face Adelphi University on Thursday in Matthews, N.C.
Washburn won a fourth straight tournament match to win its 20th match of the season (20-3-1) overall and advance to play the final weekend of the season.
All of the scoring in Sunday's match was done by Grace Peterson in the 81st minute, with the Lincoln, Neb. freshman's first goal of her collegiate career the difference in the match.
The shot by Peterson came from straight away and well outside the box off her right foot and into the top of the net. Viviana Stoto-Herrera delivered the pass leading to the score.
Both sides struggled through a windy match the entire 90 minutes, with the Ichabods playing against the wind in the first half and with the wind to their backs in the final 45 minutes.
Washburn began the game outshooting the Lakers (14-4-6) before Grand Valley State used the wind in the latter part of the first half, taking six shots compared to four for the Ichabods.
With the field flipped in the second half Washburn was able to up its offensive attack, out-shooting Grand Valley State 3-1 through the first 15 minutes after the break.
The attacking continued until the score in the 81st minute part of seven shots for the Ichabods in the second half while only allowing the Lakers to attempt two.
Of the eight total shots from Grand Valley State four were on target and all were stopped by senior Raegan Wells, who earned her 11th solo shutout of the season while playing all 90 minutes. Washburn only had one more shot on goal than the Lakers with five, but attempted 11 total shots in the match.
Khloe Schuckman led the Ichabods with three shots while Soto-Herrera and Mackinly Rohn both had two shots.\
Defensively, both Josie Boyle and Jordan Tenpas played the entire match to assist in the shoutout effort.
Isabel Imes played all 90 minutes in goal for Grand Valley State and made four saves. Kacy Lauer and Taylor Reid each had two shot attempts for the Lakers.
Washburn has now recorded multiple shutouts in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.
The Ichabods re-set a program record with their 20 wins and will set a new program record playing their 25th match in a season on Thursday.
Washburn moves to 6-2 in NCAA Tournament matches all-time in its third-ever appearance.
The Ichabods' semifinals match will be played at the Matthews Sportsplex against Adelphi University, the No. 2 seed in the East Region
