By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Kearney, Neb. -- Washburn University opened MIAA play Sunday afternoon with a 2-1 road win at Nebraska-Kearney, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead and holding on the rest of the way.
Washburn University soccer improved to 6-1-1 on Sunday with a 2-1 road win at Nebraska-Kearney in the Ichabods' MIAA opener. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Washburn improved to 6-1-1 overall and 1-0-0 in the conference while UNK fell to 0-7-1, 0-1-0.
The WU victory is it second over the Lopers in eight days and is also the third consecutive season Washburn has started MIAA play with a victory.
Both goals for the Ichabods came in the first 20 minutes of the game.
After the ball was deflected inside the box Khloe Schuckman ended up with it to the right of the goal and kicked it across into the lower left corner to put Washburn up in the 12th minute.
Just six minutes later Schuckman was fouled nearly 30 yards out from the goal.
Jaedyn Johnson took the free kick and drilled it high towards the middle of the goal. It deflected off the leaping goalkeeper and into the top of the net for the second goal of the day.
The goal was Johnson's team-leading fifth of the season and Schuckman notched her third assist after drawing the foul which also leads the team.
The Ichabods' defense kept Nebraska-Kearney quiet in the first half, allowing two total shots, only one of which was on target.
The Lopers' goal came right at the 74-minute mark off the foot of Caralee Legg into the top right corner of the net.
Washburn ended the game with 16 total shots and 10 shots on goal.
It is the third game this season the Ichabods have recorded at least 10 shots on target.
Mackenzie Smith played all 90 minutes in goal for the Lopers, knocking down eight saves in the game.
Emma Middleton took half of Nebraska-Kearney's six shots, with one of the three on target.
Raegan Wells had two saves in goal for Washburn, playing all 90 minutes.
Seven players took shots for the Ichabods in the game. Johnson, Schuckman and Haley Rogers each had three. All three of Johnson's shots were on-target while Rogers and Schuckman both had two.
Washburn will stay on the road for another week, traveling to Claremore, Okla. to face Rogers State on Friday at 6 p.m.
