Women’s soccer is undefeated this season with a record of 7-0. They’ve accomplished this feat while also managing to not concede a single goal. (Student Life | Gabby Cullen)

As the team ranked 4th in the nation, Washington University women’s soccer was expected to handle its business this week. Through five games, the squad had shut out its opponents with a combined score of 23-0, so anything short of two dominant performances would’ve been disappointing. Thanks to two more classy displays against Illinois Wesleyan University and the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, the squad extended their win streak to seven and showed the country why it’s deserving of the number-one spot.

Facing Illinois Wesleyan away on Wednesday, WashU took an early lead and never looked back, with junior Gaelen Clayton putting one away in the second minute, tallying her third goal of the season. Senior midfielder Anna Viscovich put the second goal on the board twenty minutes later, followed by an unassisted freshman forward Madison Foley goal in the 35th minute. Through the rest of the game, the Bears continued to overwhelm the opposing goalkeeper, totaling 23 shots — 12 of which were on goal. 

In the second half, WashU put on a defensive masterclass, not even allowing a single shot to pass through. Illinois Wesleyan was willing to get physical with the Bears, fouling them 10 times, but WashU demonstrated how much it thrives at any pace of play. The match was yet another confidence booster for the entire team — at the end of the day, the final score was 3-0, bringing WashU to a 6-0 record.

On Friday, the Bears faced a different challenge: the Rose-Hulman Fightin’ Engineers. Junior forward Meryl McKenna continued her hot start and put WashU ahead in the 12th minute with a textbook shot from the middle of the box to the bottom left corner. McKenna was assisted by Viscovich, who delivered a nicely weighted pass under pressure. 

Later in the half, senior goalkeeper Sidney Conner was forced to make two saves, a rarity during WashU’s winning streak. However, Conner was able to protect the Bears’ shutout. Entering halftime, the Bears led 1-0, but it was clear they were due to pull away.

In the beginning of the second half, the Bears were living in opposing territory, with the ball rarely finding its way to the home half. In the 60th minute, they were finally able to find some breathing room. After a close finish by sophomore forward Ella Koleno and a nicely taken corner, the Bears sprayed shots into the box at the keeper, with the fourth one finding its way in.

Sophomore midfielder Grace Ehlert scored the dagger in the 84th minute with a strong shot to the left side of the goal. This time, it was junior defender Emma Riley McGahan who crossed a well-placed ball to the top of the box, allowing Ehlert to body her defender. Soon after, the game was over, with the Bears winning 3-0 for the second time of the week, bringing their record to 7-0.

With the next round of women’s soccer rankings coming up, don’t be surprised to see the Bears taking another jump. They showed no mercy this week, and it’s hard to see a team challenging them if they keep up their recent form. The Bears will begin division play next Sunday at home versus the #17 Emory Eagles, in a matchup that will put two UAA powerhouses against each other.