By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Obviously, the Washburn University women's soccer team would rather not be entering the NCAA Tournament off a loss.
Senior Khloe Schuckman leads Washburn with nine goals and five assists entering the NCAA Soccer Tournament. [File photo/TSN]
But it's a role the Ichabods are familiar with, and have flourished in.
A year ago Washburn lost in the MIAA Tournament semifinals before going on a postseason run that ended with a berth in the national championship match.
Davy Phillips' Ichabods will be looking for a similar run this season, beginning with a Central Region matchup with Central Oklahoma at 12 p.m. Friday in Warrensburg, Mo. on the campus of the University of Central Missouri.
The Ichabods will be playing Central Oklahoma for a second straight game after dropping a 1-0 decision to the Bronchos in last week's MIAA Tournament semifinal.
"Right after the game I told them, 'As much as we wanted to win we've been here before and it turned out well last year,' '' Phillips said. "I do think it's provided a renewed sense of urgency and commitment from the group. This group isn't too used to losing, which is a good thing, so that stung a little bit.
"They had every intention of going down there (to Wichita) and winning the tournament, they really did. But I think there's some positives that we can take away from it, despite the result.''
The Ichabods, 14-4-2, are the No. 5 seed while 12-6-3 Central Oklahoma is the No. 4 seed.
Washburn is in the top half of the Central bracket, joined by Central Missouri, Central Oklahoma, and Ouachita Baptist. Central Missouri earned the No. 1 seed in the Central Region and will host the first two rounds of the tournament. The Jennies are 15-4-2 and won the 2024 MIAA Tournament Championship. Central Missouri will take on No. 8 seed Ouachita Baptist (8-7-4).
The bottom half of the Central Region bracket will be played in Mankato, Minn., hosted by No. 2 seed Minnesota State. The Mavericks will face No. 7 seed St. Cloud State, while No. 3 seed Missouri Western will play No. 6 seed Concordia-St. Paul.
Senior Khloe Schuckman leads Washburn with nine goals and five asists while senior Ana Muruzabal has scored four goals.
Senior goalkeeper Alli Harrington has made seven starts in goal for the Ichabods since a knee injury to Hailey Beck and has posted a goals-against average of 0.56 per game with 23 saves and four shutouts.
Rebekah George leads UCO with 10 goals scored this season. George scored seven goals in conference play to earn MIAA Offensive Player of the Year.
Caleah Carter, Harmony Turner and Emma Nicholas share the team lead with four assists each.
Avery Bass has made 18 starts in goal for the Bronchos, making 73 saves with a goals against average of 1.11. Washburn is 3-13-2 all-time against Central Oklahoma.
