Despite a strong winning record early in the season, the Bears have struggled against ranked opponents.

The loss doesn’t take away from the Bears’ success this year, but it is a bitter ending to the season. WashU became University Athletic Association (UAA) champions for the first time since 2021 and reached its highest national ranking in program history.

This weekend, five WashU teams will compete in postseason action. Here’s a look ahead to an exciting weekend in the world of WashU sports.

The last time the WashU men’s soccer team made it to the Sweet 16 was the year most of the first-years on the current team were born: 2007.

The Bears defeated Chicago 1-0, winning their 10th UAA title in program history and first under the tenure of head coach Andrew Bordelon. WashU spent 75 minutes of the game down a man, but a first-half goal was all the Bears needed to pull off one of the most improbable victories in program history.

Two Bears placed in the top 10 at the conference meet, with sophomore Lucinda Laughlin earning First-Team All-UAA honors for her fifth-place finish and first-year Max Sudrzynski finishing 10th for Second-Team All-UAA honors.

The Bears’ “we will” mentality is just one example of their commitment to developing a strong team culture and winning key games. In head coach Lisa Stone’s second year as head coach, the Bears now seek to put Stone’s playbook into practice – and get back to playing playoff basketball.

Despite a streak-snapping loss against the University of Rochester on Oct. 24, the Bears delivered a massive win on the road against No. 4 Emory University on Oct. 26. 

So far this year, the team is crushing its conference competition, holding sole possession of first place in the conference and boasting three wins against conference opponents in as many games. 

Rain or shine, the No. 12 WashU men’s soccer team has shown it can compete with any team in Division III. WashU defeated regionally ranked opponent Wheaton College in a stormy showdown at home on Sept. 20.