Drury Panthers (0-1-1) at No. 23 Washburn Icabods (1-0-1)
vs. Washburn	Wednesday, Sept. 2 | 7 p.m.
Site	Yager Stadium | Facility Map | Topeka, Kan. | Washburn University
Quick Links	Live Stats | Watch | Listen | Drury Game Notes | Washburn Athletics | Washburn Media Guide
Social Media	X: @DUWSoc | Instagram: @DruryWSoc | Facebook: @DruryWomensSoccer

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Drury women's soccer hits the road Wednesday, Sept. 2, for its first test away from Springfield and first ranked matchup of the 2026 season as the Panthers face No. 23 Washburn.
 
Drury is seeking its first win of the year after a late goal from Central Missouri handed the Panthers a 1-0 loss on Aug. 30. The Panthers have also benefited from late scoring this season. In the opener against Emporia State, freshman Melissa Higgins scored in the 83rd minute to force a draw.
 
The match will stream on the MIAA Network for $15. Fans can also listen for free on the Ichabod Sports Network.
 
SERIES HISTORY VS. WASHBURN

• Drury is 1-2-0 against Washburn all-time.
• The Panthers' lone win came in 2012, a 1-0 victory in Springfield.
• The teams have never met in Topeka.
• In last season's meeting, Drury's Keira Love scored in a 3-1 loss.

 
STORYLINES

• Wednesday marks Drury's first ranked opponent of the season. The Panthers went 0-1-2 against ranked teams last year and are 4-5-2 against ranked opponents in the Justin Olson era.
• Drury is coming off its first loss of the season, a 1-0 defeat to Central Missouri on Aug. 30. The Panthers went 1-0-1 following losses in 2025.
• Drury is winless to start a season for the first time since 2019, when the Panthers did not earn a victory until their sixth match. This is only the seventh time in program history the team has opened 0-2.
• Despite the record, Drury has faced the toughest schedule in the Midwest Region under the new NCAA NPI formula, with its average opponent ranking second in the region.
• Higgins owns Drury's lone goal this season. She leads the team with three shots, two on goal, while starting her first two career matches.
• Washburn reached the national semifinals in 2025 and returns nine of its top 12 point scorers. The Ichabods are averaging 2.5 goals per game this season, led by reigning MIAA Freshman of the Year Leah Henke.
• Washburn has already faced two ranked opponents, defeating No. 19 Maryville 4-0 and tying No. 9 Missouri-St. Louis 1-1.
• The Icabods dropped 19 spots in this week's national poll to No. 23, despite going 1-0-1 as the No. 4 team in the country last week.

 
UP NEXT
Drury opens Great Lakes Valley Conference play Sept. 5 at Truman State. Kickoff in Kirksville is set for noon.
 
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