This past Thursday, the Washington University women’s soccer team picked up another impressive win against their Wydown rivals, Fontbonne University by a score of 4-0.

After a pair of home wins last weekend, the Bears looked to keep that momentum away from Francis at Gay Field in Clayton, Mo. and the Red and Green started the game off strongly. The Bears’ offense put the Fontbonne defense under duress early on, forcing some early saves out of Fontbonne goalkeeper Kayla Hussong.

Wash. U. opened the scoring in the 16th minute, in spectacular fashion. Freshman Erin Flynn lifted a beautiful cross into the box. After an attempted bicycle kick from sophomore Taylor Cohen, senior Jessica Kovach finished off the play by volleying the ball home to give the Bears a 1-0 lead.

The Bears did not let up after scoring first. The onslaught from the Bears was enormous, shot after shot, constantly keeping the Fontbonne defense scrambling to get the ball away. It took a great effort from Hussong to keep the game within reach for Fontbonne in the first half—she would finish the game with a total of 18 saves. Wash. U. controlled the rest of the half, outshooting Fontbonne 16-0 for the first half.

Heading into the second half, the Bears were still looking for that crucial second goal. To this point, they had dominated proceedings. However, they only had one goal to show for it, meaning that the door was still open for Fontbonne to create one good opportunity and get themselves back in the game.

Wash. U. came close to doubling their leading in the 57th minute, when senior Darcy Cunningham’s shot hit off the post. However, 13 minutes later, the Bears finally found their second goal. Sophomore Ellie DeConick provided the set-up with some good play down the wing. DeConick put in a low cross to Flynn, who slotted the ball away for the Bears’ second goal of the match.

For the coming minutes, the Bears knew they had Fontbonne on the ropes, as they actively probed for the third goal that would surely put the nail in the coffin. In the 83rd minute, Kovach bagged her second goal of the game. Kovach released a beautifully-weighted, left-footed shot that flew over Hussong’s head and into the back of the net, making the score 3-0.

The Bears would then erase any remaining doubt of victory in the 89th minute, when freshman Arianna Miles sent a low cross into the box, where senior Isabelle Tamburro put away Wash. U.’s fourth of the game and her first of the season.

Historically, the Bears have dominated the famed “Wydown Showdown,” as Wash.U. now leads the all-time series 21-0. This past Thursday was no different. Wash. U. outshot Fontbonne 34-0.

This is the second game of the season in which the Bears did not allow a single shot.

The Wash. U. defense is now officially the nation’s best, as goalkeeper Emma Greenfield and the Wash. U. defense chalked up their seventh shutout of the season, which leads Division III. The Bears’ run of form has seen them ascend to number two in the nation and they are one of the only 13 teams left in Division III who have yet to taste defeat.

The Bears’ next matchup will be away against Webster on Wednesday, Sept. 26th at 6:00 p.m.