KWU Coyotes Women’s Soccer Playoffs Run

KWU Women’s Soccer Playoffs Run

SEASON IN REVIEW

The Kansas Wesleyan Women’s Soccer team made it into the conference tournament as the 3rd seed. They had an overall record of 11 wins, 4 losses, and 5 ties. Going against Tabor College in the first round of playoffs.

A talk with the Team

After talking with the head coach, Mike McIntyre, about the season so far. Especially since this was his first season as a head coach. McIntyre was the assistant coach from 2023-2025. Taking on the head coaching position after the previous head coach, Joe Schwartz, stepped down last season.

What were your expectations for your first season as a new head coach?

“My expectations going into this season were to establish a winning culture and implement a new style of play. I felt that if we could do those things well, we had the potential to have a successful year. Anytime there is a change in leadership, building trust is a critical part of the process. This team has met and even exceeded my expectations with how quickly they came together, developed that trust, and produced positive results on the field.”

Were there any feelings or emotions that changed with the transition from assistant coach to head coach?

“The role feels completely different. As an assistant coach, many decisions ultimately went through the head coach. Now, every question and decision comes back to me. Taking on the full administrative responsibilities has also been an adjustment and a learning experience.

One of the biggest emotional challenges has been learning not to take losses too personally, knowing the responsibility ultimately falls on me. I’ve also noticed changes in how I communicate. I’ve developed a more serious tone with the players, and I’ve had to be intentional about adjusting how I communicate and collaborate with my coaching staff as well.”

Changing with the Times

However with new changes in teams, it is to be expected to have ups and downs. Luckily, their losses were at the beginning of the season when they were still trying to figure out what was working for the team and what was not. After the early losses, they have only tied and won the rest of the season. Battling for a spot in the top 5 in the conference.

In the past two seasons, they were 3rd(2025) and 2nd(2024).

Was there any pressure to remain among the top teams in the conference after the transition?

“There was definitely an expectation not only to remain in the top five but to compete for a top-three finish and potentially challenge for a conference title. We had some strong results throughout the season that kept us in that race until the final week. No coach wants to take over a successful program and see it move backward, so there was certainly pressure to at least earn the opportunity to host a playoff game.”

Coyote Comback

With an amazing season, incredible things were bound to come Coyotes way. In the season, they were able to tie with Oklahoma Wesleyan University, the number one seed in the conference. Coach McIntyre spoke about that moment in the season.

“Up to this point, our comeback against Oklahoma Wesleyan stands out the most. We fell behind 2-0 but battled back to earn a 2-2 draw. During my time as an assistant coach, we had never scored against them, so scoring twice and coming away with a point on the road was an exciting and memorable moment to be part of.”

There was only one more question to ask McIntyre going into the postseason: what are the team’s goals?

“Our goal is simple: earn one more game together. At this point in the season, every match could be the last time this group takes the field together. We want to keep extending that opportunity for one more game each time we play and make the most of the time we have together.”

QUARTER FINALS

On Wednesday, November 4th at 7 pm, the Coyotes were set to host, playing against Tabor College in the Quarter Finals. The team stayed aggressive, even receiving a penalty kick in the box in the 39th minute. The kick was taken by junior midfielder Wendy Zamudio(#14); unfortunately, it was unsuccessful and was saved by Tabor junior goalkeeper Neve Mulrooney(#55). 

Going into the second half, neither team had been able to score. With many shots being taken by the Coyotes, the first goal would come from another penalty kick in the box from a handball in the 76th minute. Junior midfielder Ameera Al-Maksosi(#7) was the player selected to take the penalty kick and was successful, making the score 1-0. 

The Coyotes would score again in the 88th minute from a corner kick taken by senior captain and midfielder Carstyn Anderson(#23). The ball was kicked out of the box, but was collected by senior forward Talia Walsh, who made a successful shot into the goal, making the score 2-0.

When the final horn blew, the Tabor Bluejays remained scoreless, and the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes won 2-0. The Yotes went on in the playoffs to play against Friends University in the semifinal round.

SEMIFINAL ROUND RECAP

In a quick recap of the semifinal game played on November 6th at 7 pm at Friends University. The first goal made in the match was scored by the Coyotes in the 13th minute by sophomore captain forward/midfield Brooklyn Velotta(#19), assisted by senior midfielder Victoria Poon(#20). The Coyotes shut the Falcons out the entire first half. 

Friends’ equalizer happened in the 75th minute, scored by senior midfield/forward Aranda Kieley(#7). Both teams were unable to score for the rest of the half.

After the first overtime, both teams had chances of scoring, but neither team was successful in finishing the game. Resulting in going into the second overtime. The Coyotes had a chance to score in the second overtime but unfortunately were unsuccessful.

Forcing the game to go into penalty kicks to be the decider on which team would move on to the finals. Unfortunately, the Coyotes lost in penalty kicks, ending their season.

Official Recaps of both games:

Women’s Soccer drops Bluejays 2-0 to advance in KCAC Tournament 

Women’s Soccer draws with Friends, but falls in shootout 

OTHER STORIES:

KWU Women’s Soccer Senior Day – Sofia Velasco