photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Bishop Seabury sophomore Isabella Gonzalez shoots for a goal in an 8-0 win over Bishop Ward in the regional semifinal match at Bishop Seabury Academy on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Lawrence.

The Bishop Seabury Seahawks advanced to the girls’ soccer regional championship after an 8-0 win over Bishop Ward on Tuesday.

The Seahawks moved to 11-3 on the season, setting them up to host Bishop Miege on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Regardless of the next game’s result, the season has been one of the best in Bishop Seabury history.

“I think that’s historic — I don’t think the girls have ever had a season like this,” coach Ivo Ivanov said.

A large part of that comes from the cornerstone players that Ivanov has built the team around at the various levels of the field: junior defender Xeva Oldridge, freshman midfielder Macy Ankenbauer, and senior forward Josie Kim. The trio has led the Seahawks to their eight-game win streak.

“We built a really strong foundation as to the expectation going into games at the beginning of the season, and we’ve really been able to keep that consistent throughout,” Kim said. “Putitng 100% in starts to look a little different when your skills start to develop and you build more chemistry with the team.

“Even though our effort output has stayed the same, I think we’ve been able to be more acquainted with each other and develop our skills together. I think that’s what the difference has been.”

The Seahawks got off to a quick start against Bishop Ward. Kim scored right at the start of the game, which set the tone for the contest. Kim scored her second goal a few minutes later in the half on an assist from sophomore forward Isabella Gonzalez.

Gonzalez missed the beginning of the year and has come in and contributed a lot to the Seahawks offense. As a wing forward, she can stretch defenses horizontally, giving Ankenbauer and Kim more room to operate in the middle of the field.

Kim scored her third goal of the game on a kick that bounced high and came down just behind the goalkeeper, giving the Seahawks a 3-0 lead.

Ankenbauer scored the next two goals, the first on a deep kick that cleared an outstretched dive from the Bishop Ward goalkeeper on the side of the net and another on a free kick after a yellow card. Oldridge ended the half with a goal, giving the Seahawks a 6-0 lead.

For the second half, the Seahawks were more concerned with possession than scoring. The team still put a few shots on goal and scored on a penalty kick from Ankenbauer. Around halfway through the second half, Kim scored her 30th goal of the season, which gave the Seahawks an 8-0 lead and ended the game with a mercy rule. Bishop Seabury senior goalkeeper Eni Wintoki touched the ball twice in the game.

Kim’s 30 season goals is a school record, but she surpassed the record six goals ago. In the last two years, Kim switched from a defender to a goal-scoring forward and has flourished in her role.

“I had no idea that was even a stat on the table,” Kim said. “I go into every game the same and just expect to put it all on the table. I’m very grateful for the opportunity (to set a record), though.”

Kim’s success has been aided by Ankenbauer, who has immediately stepped in despite being a freshman. Ankenbauer had 23 goals and 18 assists as a center-back. She also comes from a defensive background and has had to learn how to be an aggressive goal-scorer.

“It’s really given me confidence,” Ankenbauer said of her freshman campaign. “I used to never have confidence. I’d never dribble the ball. I’d always pass to my teammates, but I’ve learned how to take chances and be confident in my abilities.”

Ankenbauer and Kim have strong fundamentals, which has helped them succeed together without having spent years on the pitch together. With their backgrounds, they know how to attack defenses. Kim believes that their chemistry can help them beat Bishop Miege and reach the state tournament.

“Whenever we’re doubting the circumstances, we fall back to our core base of knowledge, and we pull out our set plays,” Kim said. “We’ll have to make sure we’re not taking bad shots and that we’re playing off each other — that’s the most important thing. I think they can be in for a shock tomorrow.”

Bishop Miege will be a tough challenge for Bishop Seabury on Wednesday, but the Seahawks have a few advantages, including a home field and crowd. Ivanov said that Bishop Miege is a fast team with players that are almost track stars on top of soccer players. But with a smaller field, like the one at Bishop Seabury, that speed will be a little more limited.

With a trip to the state tournament on the line, the Seahawks will host the Stags at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Bishop Seabury sophomore Isabella Gonzalez kicks the ball from the corner of the field in an 8-0 win over Bishop Ward in the regional semifinal match at Bishop Seabury Academy on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Bishop Seabury freshman Chelsea Walden runs around the defense in an 8-0 win over Bishop Ward in the regional semifinal match at Bishop Seabury Academy on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Bishop Seabury junior Sydney Walters runs ahead of the Bishop Ward defense to get the ball in an 8-0 win over Bishop Ward in the regional semifinal match at Bishop Seabury Academy on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Bishop Seabury senior Neela Rangarajan battles for positioning in front of the ball in an 8-0 win over Bishop Ward in the regional semifinal match at Bishop Seabury Academy on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Bishop Seabury freshman Macy Ankenbauer hits a free kick for a goal in an 8-0 win over Bishop Ward in the regional semifinal match at Bishop Seabury Academy on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Bishop Seabury senior Josie Kim takes a deep shot in an 8-0 win over Bishop Ward in the regional semifinal match at Bishop Seabury Academy on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Lawrence.