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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
KANSAS CITY, MO. -- The Washburn University women's soccer team was picked fourth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released Friday.
Washburn soccer, back-to-back MIAA champion, has been picked fourth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
The Ichabods picked up five first-place votes, the most first-place votes in the conference, and 123 total points.
Washburn has won back-to-back MIAA regular season titles, posting a 10-1-1 record in the MIAA and a 14-4-3 overall record last fall.
The Ichabods return 17 players from last year's team and add 12 newcomers.
Washburn kicks off the season in St. Louis, Mo. where the Ichabods will play Maryville on September 4 at 4 p.m. and Missouri-St. Louis on September 6 at 12 p.m.
2025 MIAA WOMEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Central Missouri [4] – 132 points
2. Central Oklahoma [4] – 126 points
3. Missouri Western – 124 points
4. Washburn [5] – 123 points
5. Northeastern State – 92 points
6. Northwest Missouri – 89 points
7. Pittsburg State – 71 points
8. Nebraska Kearney – 69 points
9. Fort Hays State – 63 points
10. Emporia State – 53 points
11. Rogers State – 37 points
12. Missouri Southern – 19 points
13. Newman – 16 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Legendary Hayden soccer coach Klaus Kreutzer isn't ready to step away completely from the sport he loves.
Klaus Kreutzer, who has coached Hayden soccer the past 25 seasons, will turn the boys coaching reins over to former Wildcat Joey Gartner this fall. [File photo/TSN]
But Kreutzer, who will turn 80 next month, is ready to cut back just a little after coaching Hayden the past 25 seasons.
Kreutzer, who has led the Wildcats to five state championships (two boys, three girls) confirmed to TopSports.news Friday that he's turning the boys head coaching reins over to former Wildcat player Joey Gartner this fall but will continue to coach the Hayden girls team next spring.
"I've thought for a couple of years about stepping back while I still have some time to enjoy the time away, whether it's with my wife and traveling or doing something with my kids or grandkids,'' Kreutzer said. "But I wanted somebody that I felt comfortable with to lead the program.
"And once Joey came on board last year I was excited a little bit. And then seeing what he was able to do and what he does on the field I think he's a good fit, so that's what kind of promulgated that decision.''
Kreutzer said he knows he'll miss not being on the field this fall, but will continue to remain close to the program.
"Once I made the decision, and as it gets a little bit closer to the season starting, I've kind of had some thoughts and I've really enjoyed the relationship with players,'' Kreutzer said. "I just got an email a week ago from Cooper Grace (class of 2025) that really made me feel good. Not going into what it is that he said, but his time here was memorable and I really appreciate that, and I think coaching has been a great opportunity for me.
"But stepping back a little bit I think is better than just doing it wholesale. I do enjoy other things in life and that's kind of what prompted my decision.''
Kreutzer led Hayden to boys state championships in 2000 and 2012 and has led the Wildcat girls to titles in 20012, 2013 and 2015.
"You have to have good players to be a good coach and I've had some really good ones,'' he said.
Hayden's girls have also posted five runnerup state finishes, including this past spring.
Seaman will also have a new boys soccer coach this fall, with Seaman alum Ty Hurla taking over for the Vikings.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
It's a little hard for former Washburn Rural and current Washburn University standout Belle Kennedy to accept the fact that her outstanding soccer career is entering the home stretch.
Two-time All-MIAA first-team pick Belle Kennedy (12) returns for her senior soccer season with Washburn University. [File photo/TSN]
"I feel so old,'' Kennedy said with a chuckle. "Honestly, time's flown by so fast. I remember my freshman year of high school and (Brian) Hensyel was coaching me and now I'm up to my senior year with Davy (Phillips). It's just ridiculous how fast it really goes by and you can never take anything for granted.''
But before the 5-foot-3 midfielder turns the page and embarks on her career as an ICU nurse, the two-time first-team All-MIAA pick wants to add a few more things to her resume.
Kennedy helped lead Washburn Rural to a pair of Class 6A state championship games while being named the 6A midfielder of the year as a junior and senior and has helped Washburn win back-to-back MIAA regular-season titles and a runnerup finish in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
In fact, a title is really the only accomplishment missing from Kennedy's to-do list.
"That would be the best thing ever, to go out with a bang and win the national championship,'' said Kennedy, who had three game-winning goals last season.
The Ichabods suffered heavy graduation losses off of last year's 14-4-3 team, but Phillips' team still returns a solid nucleus and as added a host of talented newcomers to the WU fold.
As the team's most experienced player with 62 games played, Kennedy knows she needs to be a leader this fall.
"I would say definitely the jump from junior to senior year is going to be a different role for me as far as it will be coaching my own teammates in a way that makes it all very cohesive when we're actually playing,'' Kennedy said.
"As far as my personal abilities, none of that will change, but as far as jumping into the leadership role of going from worrying solely about me for the most part, now I have everybody to greet and help bring into the program and that has definitely been a big key thing in the back of my mind.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Halfway through her Washburn University volleyball career, junior libero/defensive specialist Taylor Rottinghaus already ranks among the Ichabod career, single season and single match dig leaders.
Junior Taylor Rottinghaus has earned back-to-back All-MIAA second-team honors for Washburn volleyball. [File photo/TSN]
But there's only one stat that really matters to the former Shawnee Heights star and that's the Ichabods' team win total.
"When it comes to statistics, during preseason and getting the season started I pay a little mind to it, but at the same time I'm just out there playing my game with the girls,'' said Rottinghaus, a two-time All-MIAA second-team pick.
"And if I have a bad day I have a bad day, if I have a good day I have a good day. At the end of the day I know what I'm capable of and what our team can accomplish.''
Rottinghaus played in all 29 matches and 112 sets for the 21-8 Ichabods last season, leading the team with 569 digs (5.08 per set) while adding 84 assists and 29 aces.
Rottinghaus had 14 matches with at least 20 digs, including a career-high 40 digs against Nebraska-Kearney in five sets and also had 31 digs in three sets against the Lopers.
Junior Taylor Rottinghaus led 21-8 Washburn volleyball with 569 digs last fall. [File photo/TSN]
Entering the 2025 season Rottinghaus ranks No. 4 all-time at Washburn in career digs per set (4.87), No. 9 in single-season digs per set (5.08) and tied for No. 4 in a five-set single match (40).
Rottinghaus ranks No. 27 all-time with 1,013 career digs and is on pace to crack the top 10 by the end of her junior campaign.
Taylor's older sister, Faith, is Washburn's career digs leader with 2,676 and the five-time All-American is ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 in all digs categories.
"As I'm getting older, more and more people are starting to ask me like, 'Oh, you're coming for her records,' and everything like that,'' Taylor Rottinghaus said. "A little family competition never hurts anybody. She was a great player and I think I'm a great player, so it just kind of motivates me to be like her.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Graduation wasn't kind to the Washburn University women's soccer team, with Davy Phillips' Ichabods losing 10 seniors, including four all-conference picks from last fall's 14-4-3 team.
Washburn soccer, back-to-back MIAA champions, opened preseason practice on Monday after posting a 14-4-3 record in 2024. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
The Ichabods also lost standout second-team all-conference goalkeeper Hailey Beck, who was forced to step away from competition due to injuries.
But the expectations remain sky-high for an Ichabod program that has won back-to-back conference championships while advancing to the NCAA Tournament both seasons, including a runnerup national finish two seasons ago.
"(Sunday) was the first day or meetings and we talked about how we continue the same standard and expectations,'' said Phillips, who has posted a 79-50-12 record in seven previous seasons at WU. "We have a really solid group of returners who had a fantastic spring and that was kind of the first experience without all those (graduated) players. So the spring was really valuable for all of our returners and then this may be the best recruiting class we've had.
"I'm excited to get back to teaching without all those experienced groups that have been here sometimes for five years, some of those COVID seniors. We got to a point where we were just kind of managing expectations. Everyone knew their job, new their role, so this is kind of fun -- new, fresh what we're teaching -- but still adhering to those standards and expectations that have provided success for us so far.''
