If Washington University’s women’s soccer team had one rival, that rival would be Illinois Wesleyan University. Fittingly, the Lady Bears kick their 2009 campaign off on Monday against the Titans at 5:30 p.m. on Francis Field.

Although Illinois Wesleyan leads the all-time series 4-3-4, Wash. U. won both meetings last year. In their last game at the NCAA regional finals, the Titans and Bears squared off through regulation and two scoreless overtime periods.

The ticket to the 2008 NCAA sectionals was punched during a penalty shootout as 2009 Wash. U. graduate Amanda Boe made save after save. Sophomore Alyssa Marulli scored the deciding shot.

“We don’t lose at home,” senior co-captain Carter Schwarberg said. “It’s our field.”

Two new things will debut at the game against the Titans. One is a new offense-minded formation designed to put the pressure on opponents early on. The other is free live streaming videos of home soccer games via the athletics Web site.

Eight seniors return filling various leadership roles.Co-captain Libby Held was an All-American back while co-captain Becca Heymann and Caryn Rosoff earned All-Central Region honors. “All three of them will be the heart [of the team],” head coach Jim Conlon said. “Everything will feed off of those three. There’s no doubt about it.”

Last year, a freshman scored the first goal of the season in under nine minutes against Calvin College. That freshman, now-sophomore Lee Ann Felder, returns with a host of other talented sophomores and juniors. The returners have greatly improved over the summer and are expected to fill the role of last year’s graduates, according to both captains. “It’s just a question of who’s going to step up,” Heymann said.

While the current batch of freshmen may not make an immediate impact offensively, three freshmen are in contention with junior Katy Southworth for goalkeeper. Southworth has 80 minutes in goal and made three career saves in her two seasons. Conlon said the Bears will evaluate the go-to keeper throughout the first week of play.

Heymann and Schwarberg feel a strong team chemistry has already formed. “We have a philosophy this year of no excuses,” Schwarberg said. “Losses and wins are on our shoulders.”

The No. 8 Bears face an even larger test after the Titans. Over the weekend, the Red and Green head to Baltimore, Md., to square off against No. 6 John Hopkins University and No. 4 William Smith College. The John Hopkins match will be personal, as Libby Held plays against her twin sister, midfielder Natalie Held.

“We’re only going to achieve great things this season if we keep challenging ourselves,” Heymann said.

Although Wash. U. is ranked higher in the pre-season, the UAA has picked us to finish second this season. The conference has tabbed No. 16 University of Chicago as the 2009 champion. With both teams ending their regular season against each other, the UAA title may only be decided on Nov. 7. UAA rival Emory University is ranked No. 22.

Senior co-captain Carter Schwarberg clashes with an Emory University defender in an Oct. 12, 2008 game at Wash. U. (Matt Mitgang | Student Life)

The Red and Green will become road warriors, playing 11 of 19 regular season games away. The final home game is on Oct. 25 versus neighboring Fontbonne University.
“I’m confident that if we make the Final Four, we can handle the rest,” Heymann said. “We just need to take every game one at a time and don’t get ahead of ourselves.”