Emporia State had its chances against Washburn on Thursday night at TRYSA soccer complex. One shot hit off the post. Another was lobbed over the goalie’s head but went just wide into the side of the net.
As is becoming a disappointing trend this season for the Hornets, they got close, but in the end, it was another loss. Washburn 2, Emporia State 0.
“Sometimes you keep on knocking and they’re just not going to let you in, and then there’s sometimes it’s just the soccer gods don’t allow you to come in,” ESU coach Jim Schneiderhahn said. “It’s sometimes hard to stay upbeat. You think you’re there and you’re not. I love the effort and I love a lot of things we did, but ultimately it’s about getting the result and we didn’t do that.”
The result has not went in the favor of the Hornets much since the MIAA schedule started. The Hornets fell to 1-7-1 in league play, and five of those losses have been shutouts.
Although the Hornets have not won a game since a 1-0 victory against Missouri Western on Sept. 18, they’ve played better lately. Two weeks ago, they lost to Missouri Southern 5-1 and Schneiderhahn was not pleased with his team’s effort. Since that loss, ESU has played a close game against nationally-ranked Nebraska-Omaha, losing 2-0, and then played to a 1-1 tie against Northwest Missouri last Saturday.
Thursday’s loss was one of the sharpest games the Hornets have played this season.
“I thought the effort was the best that it’s been all year without a doubt,” Schneiderhahn said. “We wouldn’t have been in this game as long as we were had it been any less than that. I think we played certainly what we’re close to being capable of.”
Emporia State was also close to getting its second straight tie. Washburn took the lead on a Kaydi Hooker header in the 12th minute and then didn’t score again until the 86th minute on a ESU own goal. ESU goalie Jennifer Stillmock kept the Hornets in the game, making nine saves including a diving save of a penalty kick.
ESU’s defenders also saved several possible goals by backing up Stillmock on balls in the box. The midfield and offense did its part in the second half by controlling the ball for much of the half.
Raquel White had the Hornets best chances to tie the game. White received a cross from Alicia Smith and hit the right post in the 49th minute, inches away from the goal. She also had the shot that sailed over the goalie’s head and into the side of the net on a loose ball that brought the goalie out of goal and out of position.
“I felt like we had a lot more opportunities tonight that we should have capitalized on,” Smith said. “It feels like more than normal and if just keep bringing that, I think we’ll get more goals in the future.”
With seven freshmen who played on Thursday, the Hornets certainly have a bright future and have shown glimpses of what the future holds this season. But for Schneiderhahn, he’s get tired of moral victories.
“The progress is there and we can see that,” Schneiderhahn said, “but it gets frustrating talking about progress all the time; we want the result.”