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.

After missing the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, the WashU men’s soccer team is tournament-bound for the first time since 2021. WashU finished the season with a 13-3 record and a conference title, and the Bears are eager to compete with whoever the tournament throws at them. 

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.

WashU still maintains a slim lead over the rest of the University Athletic Association (UAA) with a 4-2 conference record. Although recently, the Bears have had their mix of ups and downs as they have lost two of their last three games. 

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. 

This Saturday, while the Spartans outpaced the Bears in shots and shots on goal, WashU brought back the lead in the most important statistic: goals. They won 1-0 with a goal by senior Zach Susee in the 21st minute.

Now a junior on the varsity men’s soccer team, Kshirsagar’s story is different from most. Kshirsagar is the only player on the team to join as a walk-on, joining the team after a season playing for the men’s club soccer team.