Emporia State soccer traveled to Topeka to face off against MIAA rival Washburn Ichabods. Prior to the matchup the Ichabods were nationally ranked at #6.
Graduate assistant forward Alexis Cole came in clutch for the Hornets to score in the 17th minute of play in the first half with an assist by graduate student forward Mackenzie Dimarco. ESU defense was able to hold the Ichabods scoreless for the rest of the game resulting in a 1-0 Hornet victory.
Prior to the game, the Ichabods were undefeated in conference play with a record of 9-0-1. Despite their loss, the Ichabods were still crowned 2023 MIAA regular season champions at the conclusion of the game due to their impressive nine game win streak and their overall record of 15-2-1.
In conclusion of the regular season, Emporia State managed to hold on to a top four finish in the MIAA conference, meaning they will now host the opening round of the MIAA Tournament. The Hornets faced off against the number five seeded Northwest Missouri Bearcats at the ESU soccer pitch winning 3-0
The Hornets will now face off against first ranked Washburn on Nov. 9 in Wichita for the semi-finals game.
Last season, ESU finished the regular season as the number two seed and managed to make it to the championship match against Central Missouri where the Hornets ended up losing with a final score of 3-4.
Despite losing in the championship match, ESU played in the NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament, where they won over Fort Hays with a final score of 5-1 and then over Central Missouri 1-0.
ESU then advanced to the NCAA Central Region Championship where they faced off against Bemidji State. Bemidji State striked first with a goal in the first half, and ESU’s MackenzieDimarco scored in the second half. The game went into three overtimes but neither team scored. Bemidji State took the victory after outshooting the Hornets 3-1 in penalty kicks.
