For the past three years, members of the Washington University women’s soccer class of 2010 have been unable to get past the Sweet 16.

This year, after defeating Calvin College 2-1 in the Elite Eight, the No. 17 Lady Bears have gone farther than anyone on the squad has gone before advancing to the Final Four of the NCAA Division III Tournament for the second time in program history and for the first time since 1997.

Calvin gave the Bears a scare in the first half as Carly Prins headed in a goal at the 43:07 mark off a cross set up by a free kick.

Senior Becca Heymann knotted the score within 27 seconds on the next possession, collecting a loose ball in the Calvin box and firing it into the far corner with her left foot. Heymann’s 21st goal moves her all time points record to 54, good for tenth place on the all time list.

After taking the tie into the half, sophomore Lee Ann Felder scored the gamewinner in the 57th minute. Sophomore Emma Brown set up senior Caryn Rosoff with the assist by sending a thorough ball. Rosoff dribbled into the box before sending a cross that Felder one timed.

Felder, Brown and Rosoff have been involved in other big plays this season including the game-winning goal in overtime against the University of Rochester on Oct. 18.

Freshman goalkeeper Clara Jacques picked up her 16th career win with seven saves as the women’s team tied their team record of 17 wins in a season.

The Bears would not have made it this far without Jacques, who made several big saves in Friday’s 2-1 penalty shootout over No. 24 Wheaton (Ill.)

After two scoreless periods of regulation time followed by two overtime periods, Jacques had to face Wheaton shooters without her defense. Jacques made four of five saves as senior Carter Schwarberg and freshman Emily Gosche scored their penalty kicks to send the Bears to the Sectional Finals.

Wheaton won the national title in 2004, 2006 and 2007 while falling in the national championship match in 2008.

Several Wash. U. students including members of the men’s soccer team traveled to Rockford, Ill. The group called the Conlon Crazies led spirited cheers in support of the Lady Bears.

The No. 17 Bears face the winner of the undefeated No. 3 Trinity University (TX) and Lynchburg College match on December 4 at the Blossom Soccer Stadium in San Antonio, Texas.