The No. 1 Bears are one win away from clinching their 16th UAA title. (Clara Richards | Student Life)

The Washington University women’s soccer team is no stranger to being at the top of the University Athletic Association (UAA) standings. In the six seasons from 2015 to 2021, the Bears won (or tied for) the conference championship every year. Last season, the Bears fell off their peak, finishing 2-4-1 for their worst conference finish since 1994. 

Now, with two games remaining in UAA play, the No. 1 Bears are not only one win away from clinching their 16th UAA title, but they are also the top seed in the nation. In a season-defining road trip this weekend, the Bears proved their worth on a national stage, earning a promotion from No. 2 to  No. 1 in this week’s Division III rankings. First, the Bears held on to their top spot in the UAA with a 0-0 draw against Carnegie Mellon University Tartans. The Bears entered the game ranked No. 2 in the UAA and No. 3 in the nation, in a rematch of last year’s Round of 16 contest. 

Following the tie, the Bears were quick to return to their winning ways. Two first-half goals and a dominant defensive performance resulted in a 2-0 win against No. 7 Case Western Reserve University, last season’s conference champs. 

While the draw on Friday was the first time they didn’t win all season, the Bears were still satisfied with the results. 

“We’re exactly where we want to be,” senior goalkeeper Sid Conner said after the weekend’s matches. “We worked pretty hard and played really well against super-talented and very strong opponents. So there were no hard feelings. We’re just looking forward to getting back on the field for our next game.”

Not only did the Bears extend their undefeated start to the season, they also kept their clean sheet streak alive. Through 14 games, they are the only collegiate soccer team yet to concede a goal. Conner, once again, played a key role, especially in the matchup at Carnegie Mellon. She made three saves, including a highlight reel stop in the 59th minute. When Tartans midfielder Breana Valentovish unleashed a half-volley from near the penalty spot, Conner dove through the air, knocking the strike over the bar to keep the match tied at zero. 

When asked about his goalkeeper, head coach Jim Conlon was full of praise. 

“She was very good against NYU [last week], [and] then [against] Carnegie,” he said. “[Conner] had to make a couple of really, really great saves to keep not only the shutout but in that particular game, the tie [too]. Her abilities in the net single-handedly helped us get a result,” Conlon said.

While Conner’s play is deserving of the praise, she was quick to credit her teammates for the feat. 

“I think my defense has been very good at making shots predictable, so honestly, the stage shouldn’t only be presented to me,” she said. “Shutouts are a result of the team defense, starting at the forwards and ending at me. We all just want to do our jobs and play good team defense. So the clean sheets are just a result of that mindset.”

Conner wasn’t the only goalkeeper making big plays. Carnegie Mellon goalkeeper, Abby O’Connor, made two crucial saves, including an impressive one to stop a chance by WashU senior Anna Viscovich in the 57th minute. Carnegie Mellon’s stout defense, led by O’Connor, has allowed just six goals all season. 

Senior Kate Flynn in action earlier this season. (Daniel Huinda | Student Life)

The play by both goalkeepers was enough to keep the potent attacks at bay. Though both teams averaged over three goals per game, the scoreline ended 0-0, preserving the undefeated records of both sides. The result also prevented Carnegie Mellon from narrowing the gap behind WashU in the UAA standings.

After the WashU offense was held scoreless in their first game of the weekend, they got out of the gate quickly on Sunday. Twelve minutes into the game, first-year Sophie Viscovich launched a strike from 30 yards out that slipped by the goalkeeper and into the bottom right corner to open the scoring. 

Right before the halftime break, fellow first-year Madison Foley doubled the lead. In the 43rd minute, she controlled a cross from midfielder Tyler Wilson near the top of the box. After moving the ball to her left foot and beating a defender, she curled a shot into the top left corner for the second goal of her career. 

The Bears cruised the rest of the way. Though the Spartans tried to mount a comeback, they were constantly stifled by the Bears. WashU controlled most of the possession throughout the game and outshot Case Western 16-2, with the Spartans’ only shots coming on free kicks. Conner was forced to make her only save of the game on a free kick from the edge of the box in the 84th minute, and the defense in front of her took care of business for the rest. Led by graduate student Ally Hackett, who played the entire 90-minute match for the fifth time this season, the back three was once again a formidable force.

With the win, the Bears have now earned 13 points (4-0-1) in UAA play, five points clear of Case Western for first place. With just two conference games remaining for each team, the Bears have a chance to clinch the championship, and a berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs, next weekend against No. 10 Rochester. When asked about the potential conference title, Conlon noted that the team is more focused on Wednesday’s matchup at Greenville University.

“Honestly, we haven’t even looked at that. You know, we’ve got Greenville, who’s competitive in its conference right now. We [will] take care of business Wednesday, [and] then we look at what the conference holds for us for Sunday or for next week,” he said.

Sophomore Kerrigan Ferland dribbles past an opposition in a Bears matchup earlier this season. (Clara Richards | Student Life)

With the team cruising through the conference, it is also nearing time to talk about the Bears’ national aspirations. After falling in the Elite Eight of last season’s tournament, the Bears will have a chance to make an even deeper run this year. This weekend, they proved that they can go toe to toe with the best of the best. Carnegie Mellon, which was ranked No. 1 in the nation from Sept. 26 to Oct. 10, and Case Western, who made it to the national championship game last season, are far from easy opponents. With two more impressive performances against national powerhouses, the Bears showed why they are deserving of the top spot in both their conference and the country.