Scott BresslerWednesday began with 14 undefeated teams in Division III women’s soccer. It ended with 13.
Washington University’s 5th-ranked squad garnered its ninth victory of the season Wednesday night, beating cross-town rival Webster University 3-0 to drop the Gorloks to 8-1 on the season. More impressively, the Bears have now won 23 straight regular season games, with their last loss coming over a year ago.
Playing like the second half team it has been all year, the Bears failed to find the net in the first stanza. Despite dominating play and outshooting Webster 15-1, nothing went the Bears’ way. Webster’s sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Kozeny recorded seven saves in the half, though Wash. U. did its part to ease her job with several shots going right to her.
Junior defender Shirey Lane made some the half’s best plays, running the ball nearly the length of the field in the 31st minute before a single Webster player challenged her and cutting off another player two minutes later, preventing a possible one-on-one situation at the Red and Green goal.
“It takes a while for us to get going,” said Head Coach Wendy Dillinger of her team’s first half performance. “We play with more urgency in the second [half].”
As had been the situation in five of their earlier games this season, the second half began scoreless. With their perfect record on the line, the Bears stepped up their play. Sophomore forward Caryn Rosoff scored the eventual game winner in the 56th minute after Kozeny deflected Lane’s shot to Rosoff’s foot.
“We make it not to get scored on or lose at home,” said Lane.
“It becomes a mental game when the score is 0-0 at the half,” added Rosoff. “We stepped it up.”
Webster fought hard, and freshman Megan Neiderschulte almost tied up the game, taking a point-blank shot in the 81st minute. Senior keeper Carrie Sear was there for the impressive save.
The tide of the game completely turned in the 83rd minute. Webster was whistled for the foul. Sophomore defender Libby Held took the kick from just beyond midfield. At the goal, Rosoff headed the ball into the net, giving the Bears an insurance goal.
“She not only anchors our defense but starts our offense with her foot,” said Dillinger of Held’s impressive leg.
With that goal, Webster’s team began to break down. Using only 15 players over the course of the game compared with Wash. U.’s 24, the fresher legs won the battle. Less than five minutes later, sophomore midfielder Becca Heymann headed in another goal on a cross from senior Marin McCarthy.
Neiderschulte gave it one last shot on a breakaway, but back goalie Amanda Boe made the save, giving the Bears their sixth shut-out of the year.
“Scoring two goals in the last minute says a lot,” said Lane. “We don’t quit.”
With this win, the team’s thoughts turn to UAA conference play. This portion of the season begins Sunday when the Bears face Carnegie Mellon at noon on Francis Field.
“We were both undefeated and someone does [go] home with a loss,” said Held, referring to how this game prepares them for UAA play. “We can get out all of the kinks.”