It was difficult for Emporia State’s Andrea Harris to pull herself up after Friday’s 3-0 loss to No. 22 Washburn.
The senior had given an all-out effort on the field — and now had the leg cramps to prove it.
“That’s what you’ve got to do every game — go out there like there’s no tomorrow,” Harris said. “For Erin (Allen) and I, there is no tomorrow.”
There also will be no more shots at rival Washburn, as the Lady Blues secured a series sweep of the Hornets with the runaway victory.
“We just tried our hardest,” Harris said. “We had unlucky luck.”
That misfortune struck ESU early in the match.
Hornet midfielder Jessica Jaecques injured her leg in the 6th minute and was forced to stand next to the sideline and wait for substitute Raquel White.
But instead of kicking the ball out of bounds — and hoping Washburn would do the same to get the necessary substitution — ESU continued play 10-on-11 for a full three minutes.
“(Washburn) did a good job of recognizing that,” ESU coach Jim Schneiderhahn said, “and doing everything they could to keep the ball in play.”
The Lady Blues took full advantage, as Jessica Mainz popped a shot over ESU keeper Erin Allen at the five-yard box for a 1-0 Lady Blue lead.
After the goal, Jaecques was finally subbed out.
Though Schneiderhahn said the courteous move might have been for Washburn to knock the ball out of bounds, he had no issues with the team playing on.
“It’s just the game,” Schneiderhahn said. “That happens sometimes.”
ESU had its best scoring chance in the 15th minute, as forward Alicia Smith found herself in a one-on-one with Washburn goalie Jenna Hatlestad.
Smith beat Hatlestad to the outside but couldn’t stop the ball’s momentum, as it rolled harmlessly past the boundary.
Four minutes later, Washburn extended its lead. Off a rebound, Traci Nigg launched a shot from outside the box, dropping it into the left side of the net to make it 2-0.
The Lady Blues added a third goal just before the end of the half. Ashley Taylor made a charge from the right side, sending a low cross to Courtney Russell. The freshman midfielder made good on the shot, putting it past Allen to push the lead to three goals.
“What makes Washburn a good team is they battle, and they’re willing to take the psychological, emotional risks involved with playing the game,” Schneiderhahn said. “They do all the things that are necessary. We’re not there yet.”
ESU did show signs of fight in the second half, battling to a scoreless tie in the final 45 minutes.
Erin Allen finished with 11 saves for the Hornets.
Washburn outshot ESU 23-7 in the match.
ESU (3-10) will begin a four-game road stretch on Wednesday at Missouri Western.