By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The Washburn University women's soccer team is on a legitimate hot streak, posting four wins and a tie over its last five games while not allowing a single goal.
The Ichabods, 5-2-2 overall and 2-0-1 in the MIAA, will be looking to continue their run with road games at Missouri Southern (6 p.m.) on Friday and at Pittsburg State (1 p.m.) on Sunday.
Freshman Leah Henke has a team-high five goals on the season for Washburn soccer. [File photo/TSN]
Former Washburn Rural star Kate Hinck has scored two goals this fall for 5-2-2 Washburn soccer. [File photo/TSN]
"That's kind of what we talked about as a team is the callouses of success and how hard work prepares you for more hard work and success,'' Washburn coach Davy Phillips said. "There's a difference between trying to get a team there and then once you've reached that level, 'OK, here's the benchmark, now it's just maintaiing the benchmark.' ''
Washburn graduated a strong senior class off the team that won back-to-back MIAA titles and advanced to the NCAA tournament both seasons, but Phillips is very pleased with the progress his Ichabods have made this fall.
"They're doing a really good job,'' he said. "I had to become more patient with them the last few weeks and allow them the space to go and make decisions. I think I was trying to stifle that a little bit and it's funny how trust works because once you give them the freedom and they do it, inherently you develop more trust throughout the process.
"It's working through the unknown until it's the known.''
Washburn freshman Leah Henke starred again last Friday night in a 3-0 Ichabod win over Nebraska-Kearney, assisting on fellow freshman Kate Hinck's opening goal and then scoring the game's final goal in the second half after Shaye Taylor scored off an assist from Aubrey Tanksley to give WU a 2-0 halftime advantage.
Henke is tied for third in the conference for goals scored with five.
Freshman Lili Everley is third in the conference in shutouts with four on the season in addition to an 0-0 tie and is a two-time MIAA goalkeeper of the week.
Washburn has out-shot its opponents 121-63 and 53-30 on goal. The Ichabods have taken 53 corners while only allowing 19.
Missouri Southern is 2-5-3 this season and 0-2-2 in the MIAA.
The Lions have wins over Rockhurst and Paul Quinn. In conference play Southern has lost to Northeastern State and Rogers State, while tying Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney.
Pittsburg State is 8-1-1 overall and 3-0-1 in the MIAA entering a home match Friday against Emporia State.
The Gorillas enter Friday's match on a three-game win streak.
