The Washington University women’s soccer team is four games away from a national championship and an undefeated season. However, it will likely face its most difficult challenge of the season this weekend as they host the NCAA Sectional Semifinal. The Bears will take on No. 23 University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Friday. The winner of that game will face either No. 4 Centre College or No. 15 Wheaton College Saturday.

Grace Bruton | Student Life

Ellie Moreland crosses the ball against Illinois Wesleyan Sunday Nov. 11. The Bears continue the NCAA tournament Friday with a Sweet 16 matchup against No. 23 Wisconsin-LaCrosse.

Wash. U. and then-No. 15 UWL met in last year’s Sweet 16, too. Then-No. 5 Wash. U. fell in that game, 2-1, exiting the tournament much earlier than expected. The Eagles will attempt to recreate their success from last season. Wisconsin-La Crosse survived a close contest against the University of St. Thomas last weekend. After reaching a 2-2 draw after two overtimes, the Eagles prevailed in a shootout, 3-0, to advance to the Sweet 16. UWL has played a fantastic season, posting a record of 18-2-3. After suffering two losses to Christopher Newport University and St. Thomas in the first four games, the Eagles haven’t stumbled. They are averaging over three goals and allowing under one goal per game. Seven members of UWL’s team were named to the All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team, including seniors Margaret Harings and Maya Schmitt.

Harings, who made the All-WIAC team for the fourth time in her career, was also named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year. Schmitt was named the Defensive Player of the Year. Schmitt has been an integral piece of a bulwark that has posted 10 shutouts this season. Also making the team was senior Cassie Handrick, who led the team in scoring. UWL will be trying to reach the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year.

The Red and Green spent much of last season as the No. 1 team in Division III. They appear to be an even better team this season. They haven’t lost a game since their loss in the playoffs last season, nor have they even come close. Wash. U. has not trailed for a single minute this season. A trio of first-team all-UAA selects contribute to the Bears potent offensive attack. Senior Maggie Crist was named UAA MVP. Crist, a three-time all-UAA selection, has been the engine that drives the Bears offensively and defensively. She has five goals and five assists this season and has contributed to a defense that is seventh in the nation in shutout percentage (.765). Joining Crist on the first team are junior Taylor Cohen and senior Darcy Cunningham. Cohen leads the conference in goals with 11 and tacked on seven assists to that. Cunningham tied Cohen for second in the conference in assists and was second in the conference in shots taken with 68. Cunningham, Crist and Cohen have been leaders on an offense that produced 57 goals.

While the offense of the Bears has been unstoppable, the defense has been indomitable. Senior Hannah Menard has been a vocal leader for the backline of Wash. U. that has allowed four goals through 19 games, including two shutouts in the playoffs. Menard is joined in the backline by freshman Gabbie Cesarone. Cesarone started every regular season game at center back and was named UAA Rookie of the Year for her performance. Wash. U.’s exceptional defenders make life easier for sophomore goalkeeper Emma Greenfield. Greenfield has made only 14 saves this season and leads the conference in Goals Against Average. Menard, Greenfield and Cesarone were all named to the second team all-UAA team. Wash. U. is not only the favorite to advance from this sectional, but looks poised to claim their second championship in three years.

Whoever emerges between the Bears and the Eagles will take on either Centre or Wheaton.

Centre is the other undefeated Division III team. Centre and Wash. U. have both had outstanding seasons both defending and capitalizing on opportunities. Centre has outscored opponents 72-4. The main criticism of Centre this season has been their relatively light schedule: They’ve faced only one ranked team so far (a 2-1 win against then-No. 21 Denison). The Colonels could put the doubters to rest by emerging from this weekend still undefeated. Centre claimed every major award in the Southern Athletic Conference. Junior Alana Hughes won Offensive Player of the Year, junior Jessie Turner won Defensive Player of Year, freshman Cameron Zak won Newcomer of the Year, and coach Jay Hoffman was rewarded with the Conference’s Coach of the Year award. Eleven Colonels earned either first, second or honorable mention all-SAA selections.

Centre will take on a resilient Wheaton team that previously forced overtime with Wash. U. in a game played in the snow and heavy winds this season. Wheaton has historically been an excellent team in the tournament, amassing 53 wins in program history, the fourth most amongst current Division III teams. Wheaton has been a strong defensive team this season. Sophomore Sarah Tomich took home College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Defensive Player of the Year. She has been a leader of a defense that has posted 10 shut-outs and a conference-leading .49 goals against average. Wheaton suffered close defeats against Wash. U. and Wisconsin-La Crosse this season. If Wheaton beats Centre, they will have a chance to avenge their earlier losses and reach the semifinals.

All three games will be played at Francis Field. Wash. U. and UWL will play at 5 p.m. Friday followed by Centre and Wheaton at 7:30 p.m. The winners will face off on Saturday at 6 p.m. The winner will advance to the NCAA Division III Semifinals on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at UNCG Soccer Stadium in Greensboro, N.C.