Kearney, Neb. – Washburn scored in the 49th and 73rd minutes and got 10 saves from senior keeper Kaitlin Minnich to beat Nebraska Kearney, 2-0, Sunday afternoon at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.

This was the MIAA opener for both. The Ichabods (5-2-1) are now 5-0-1 in the last six meetings with the Lopers (3-3-2).

Losing to Washburn 2-0 last Sunday in Topeka, UNK rebounded from that effort by controlling the action today. They had large advantages in both shots, 15-6, and corners, 10-2, but couldn't find the back of the net. 

"It's very frustrating (to look at the stats). I thought we were dominant in that game but at the end of the day all the matters is the scoreboard and it said 2-0 to them," said Loper coach Chloe Roberts. "They took advantages of their chances and were clinical in front of the goal. We were not clinical in front of the goal and we need to figure out a way to do that."

The 'Bods took advantages of their scoring opportunities with junior keeper Ali Hirschman (Millard South) making three saves to keep things scoreless. One of WU's shots also banged off the left post.

However, early in the second half, junior Mackenzie Heiman lined up for a direct kick after a Loper foul and sent a perfect ball toward goal. Omaha sophomore Olivia Grasso just beat Hirschman and headed it in for her first goal of 2017. On the play, both Grasso and Hirschman fell down with the ball slowly rolling past the goal line.

UNK had 10 of its shots on goal with many sailing high or Minnich, standing 5-10, leaping up and popping them over the goal. She stopped a shot taken by senior Carly Brown (Omaha Skutt) in the 64th minute and then the WU defense fought off a corner soon after.

About 10 minutes later, WU lined up for one of its two corners. Freshman Tera Lynch placed the ball in the left box where freshman Paige Ledesma passed off to Gretna junior Ellie Karloff in the right box and she banged it home her team-leading fourth goal of the fall.

Lincoln junior Tori Weber had six of UNK's shots, five being on goal, with Omaha sophomore Megan Merkel taking three with two on goal. Merkel left the game due to injury in the second half.

"We have to realize this isn't good enough. We've had a few good wins so far but, ultimately, when it comes down to it, we can't be consistent. We have to figure out a way to do that. We have been good at times but we have to take it to the next level," said Roberts.

UNK hosts nationally-ranked Central Missouri and Lindenwood next weekend.