Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Sophomore Olivia Stovall scored in the 73rd minute to lift Washburn to a 1-0 win over Nebraska-Kearney Sunday afternoon in Topeka.

This was the MIAA opener for both teams. The Ichabods (5-2-1) improve to 3-0 at home while the Lopers fall to 3-4-1.

In a game where each squad took eight shots, Washburn managed to find the back of the net in the late going. Stovall fired from 25 yards out and the ball managed to find the far corner.

Junior keeper Kaitlin Minnich recorded her second win over UNK in the last week as she saved a shot taken by Lincoln freshman Skylar Taylor in the 79th minute. She then stopped a header taken by Lincoln native Tori Weber a few seconds later.

"This was one of our better games this year. A lot of really good soccer and so many positives to take away from this match," said UNK head coach John Maessner. "Of course we're disapointed but more encouraged than ever about how good this team can be."

Weber (Lincoln S.E.) and Norfolk senior Evie Sintek were each credited with two shots apiece while four Loper position players went all 90 minutes. That small group included true freshmen Megan Merkel (Millard West H.S.) and Molly Willis (Kearney H.S.).

"We have to capitalize on clean chances on the goal and finish the easy ones. Unfortunately, we missed two open net situations but proud how we kept playing hard and kept pushing for a goal. We move on knowing we have a team that can go great things," said Maessner. 

UNK remains on the road next weekend to face Lindenwood (4-2-1) and nationally-ranked Central Missouri (7-0-0).