By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
TOPEKA, Kan. – Hoping to avoid a fourth-straight overtime match, the Fort Hays State women’s soccer team took on Washburn in Topeka on Friday for their final non-conference contest of the season. While extra time was not needed, the Tigers were unable to get ahead of the Ichabods as they fell 3-1. With the loss, Fort Hays State drops to 2-3-2 this season, while Washburn ends their non-MIAA schedule at 4-3 overall.
Through the first 45 minutes, neither the Tigers nor the Ichabods gained the advantage over the other. Play remained even in the first half with both teams recording four shots but none found the back of the net. The first half concluded with a 0-0 score heading into the locker room, the third-straight match which held a scoreless standing after the first.
The second half was more offensively driven for both teams with the Tigers and Ichabods once again equalizing on their shot attempts with eight apiece. However, three of those Washburn attempts resulted in a goal. Mackenzie Heiman got the Ichabods on the board first as she earned her second goal of the season in the 59th minute. Less than one minute later Ellie Karloff put Washburn up 2-0 following her first goal of 2018 in the 60th minute. The scoring for the Ichabods would commence in the 71st minute as Tera Lynch achieved her second goal for the season to add to the Washburn lead at 3-0.
Jordan Thompson captured her first goal of her Tiger career in the 82nd minute to help Fort Hays State avoid a shutout. The late-game offensive surge by the Tigers was not enough, however, as the Ichabods maintained the advantage in the closing minutes to take the 3-1 victory.
Both the Tigers and Ichabods ended the match with 12 shot attempts, with Washburn earning six shots on goal as opposed to four by Fort Hays State. Washburn claimed the fouls column as they were called for 14 over just six for the Tigers.
Much like their shot attempts, both teams mirrored each other with three saves in the game. Whitney Bockover earned the win in 12 shots faced and improves her season record to 2-0. Megan Kneefel takes the loss for the Tigers and drops to 2-3-2 on the season. She ended the match with one save. Deonna Wellbrock played her first minutes this season, capturing two saves. However, in the 79th minute, Wellbrock was given a yellow card.
The Tigers open up MIAA play on Sunday when they travel to Emporia State, a team which they have already seen this year in a match that concluded in a 1-1, 2OT tie. That contest is slated for 2 p.m.