Dream Season

Washburn soccer finishes as NCAA runner-up, claiming conference and regional titles along the way

The soccer team celebating their NCAA Central Regionl championship on their way to a national runner-up finish. Photo by Ben Nichols

From The Ichabod - Winter 2024
By Jeremy Wangler

The Washburn soccer team had already set school records for win totals and highest national ranking before making it to the NCAA tournament this season as the top seed in the Central Region. When it all wrapped up on Dec. 9, the Ichabods finished second in the nation, falling just short of a national championship.

After winning their second MIAA championship in school history, Washburn received the top seed in the NCAA Central Region and hosted the first two rounds. The journey to the title game featured two overtime games and nothing but one-goal games, including two won by freshman goal scorers.

Head Coach Davy Phillips said recognizing anyone can lead is why they made it this far and why younger players could shine in big moments.

“You never know who is going to step up or when they’re needed,” he said. “To have that belief to know that the strength is truly in the collective and anyone can do the job is a powerful thing.”

Junior All-American Khloe Schuckman scored the game-winner in overtime of the first round. Sophomore Aubrey Tanksley scored a game-tying goal with two seconds left in regulation to send the second round into overtime. Schuckman then scored her second goal of the game to win it. Schuckman scored two more times against Emporia State to win the regional for the first time in program history.

(Khloe Schuckman scored five goals in the regional rounds of the NCAA tournament. Photo by Kyle Manthe)

In the national quarterfinal, freshman Grace Peterson scored her first career goal, the only of the game. MIAA Freshman of the Year Mackinly Rohn was the hero in another 1-0 win for Washburn in the semifinal against Adelphi, sending the Ichabods to the national championship game.

(The Ichabods celebrate with the NCAA Central Region trophy after beating Emporia State, 2-1. Photo by Ben Nichols)

“Our culture allows anyone to step up and be the person we need in the moment,” said senior forward Riley Painter. “Everyone’s really stepped into a role that’s cultivated success for everyone, no matter what that looks like.”

In the championship game, Point Loma scored seven minutes into the second half to win the title, 1-0. Despite the tough ending, the Ichabods added three trophies to the case this season – the MIAA and Central Region trophies and NCAA runner-up trophy. They finished the year 21-4-1, setting a school record for wins and goals.

Junior Jordan Tenpas, an All-American and the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year, helped Washburn to a school-record 14 shutouts.

“The collectiveness of our team just carries us – and has carried us throughout the entire season and this postseason,” she said. “Knowing that I have my team to back me up, that’s all that matters.”

Senior MIAA Goalkeeper of the Year Raegan Wells finished her career as the school leader in wins and saves.

“This is something you can only dream of,” she said. “Coming back for my fifth year and we end up in the championship, I’m so happy and happy for the girls and everyone on the team.”