The Washburn soccer team surrendered three goals in the first half and took its first loss under first-year head coach Davy Phillips, falling 4-1 to Newman on Sunday at Yager Stadium.
Newman got on the board 12:17 into the game and later scored back-to-back goals 17 seconds apart midway through the second half to open up a three-goal cushion.
“I think some of it is about just doing our individual jobs,” Phillips said. “Everyone right now is worried about the team completing the job, instead of concentrating on what their individual jobs are. We need to anticipate and read the game better. I think we’re very reactive right now in how we’re playing.
“Going forward this week, we’re going to concentrate on those things. Can we just read the game and be a little more proactive, instead of always reacting to what’s happening?”
Washburn (2-1-1) took some momentum into halftime after Haley Schroeder headed in a goal off an assist from Paige Ledesma with 2:03 let in the half. However, Newman restored a three-goal lead just 4:55 into the second half off a corner.
“The halftime talk was all about (building on the momentum) and then we come out and concede another goal — someone rose above our defender and headed it home,” Phillips said. “If we can get the second goal and make it 3-2, it’s a much different environment for us to play in.”
Colleen Howland scored two goals for the Jets (2-2-0) and Rosa Urista-Chico and Grace Linton accounted for the other goals.
Washburn will look to regroup for Friday’s conference opener against Emporia State at 6 p.m. in Yager Stadium.
“I told them, ‘As you walk up the stairs out of here, today’s over with and we can’t do anything about it,’ ” Phillips said. “We just have to make adjustments and concentrate on Friday.”
NEWMAN 4, WASHBURN 1
Newman … 3 … 1 … — … 4
Washburn … 0 … 1 … — … 1
Goals — Newman: Howland 2, Urista-Chico, Linton. Washburn:Schroeder. Assists — Newman: Howland, Stewart. Washburn: Ledesma.
Records — Newman: 2-2-0, Washburn 2-1-1.
