First year Olivia Clemons has scored eight goals in her first six collegiate games. (Bri Nitsberg | Student Life)

Off of their first away win of the season against Westminster College, the No. 1 Washington University women’s soccer team faced a new challenge over the weekend as they took on DePauw University and Rhodes College in Greencastle, Indiana on Sept. 13 and 14. WashU passed the test with flying colors. Within the first three minutes of their match against DePauw, WashU was up 2-0 with goals from senior Meryl McKenna and junior Kaci Karl. From there, the Bears never looked back, shutting out both opponents 4-0 and 3-0 respectively.

“Going on the road is always hard, we’ve got a great home environment, and so you just got to try and keep a mental consistency in your preparation when you go on the road,” head coach Jim Conlon said. “I thought we did a good job of growing into the week. Maybe that first road trip [at Westminster College] was a little awkward, and then growing into the next two on the road, but to come out with three quality results was good.”

On Tuesday Sept. 17, the Bears moved to 7-0 on the season, defeating Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) 4-0. WashU dominated the game, outshooting the Titans 22-0.

First-year Olivia Clemons, who has been a standout for the Bears offensively and was named University Athletic Association (UAA) Athlete of the Week for a second week in a row, scored three goals across the weekend. She scored the final goal against DePauw and the first two goals against Rhodes, one in the first half and one in the second.

The Bears offensive charge also saw new faces adding to WashU’s scoring list this season with Karl notching her first two goals of the season, one against DePauw and one to put the Bears up 2-0 against Rhodes early in the second half. Her goal against DePauw came on a set piece, which has been a strength for the Bears and allowed players like Karl, who plays in center midfield, to score goals.

“I was in a higher position than I usually am at the top of the 18-[yard box] and while the forwards created all the chaos, the ball just popped out, and I was just conveniently there, and I was able to put it in the back of the net,” she said.

Graduate student goalkeeper Sidney Conner and sophomore Charlotte Shapiro, who missed her 2023 season due to injury, shared time in goal this weekend to help ensure a clean sheet as the Bears move to 5-0 on the season. 

Senior defender Emma Riley McGahan also contributed to the Bears’ shutout, playing 125 minutes across the weekend. 

“[She] was fantastic for us in all three shutouts [this week]. We asked her to do a lot of different things defensively,” Conlon said. “So I thought our senior, Emma Riley McGahan, really put in some really good shifts for us to not only get wins but show her teammates the standard of excellence.”

The Bears continued their winning form against IWU at Francis Field on Sept. 17. The Bears opened the scoring just two minutes into the game with McKenna’s third goal of the season. Center back Ally Hackett doubled their lead 12 minutes later on a corner kick from senior Gaelen Clayton, and first-year Cami Colpitts and junior Ella Koleno rounded out the scoring in a dominant victory. 

After seven straight wins to open their campaign, the Bears will continue their non-conference play in Terre Haute, Indiana against the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology on Sept. 21. On Sept. 23, the Bears will take on No. 22 Calvin University, one of the biggest tests in their non-conference schedule.

After the Calvin game, the Bears will have just two more non-conference matchups before they begin UAA play against No. 13 Emory University. The Bears won the conference last season but will face tough tests, as all seven of their conference opponents are ranked in the national top 25.

In the meantime, the goal for the Bears remains the same as always: take it one game and practice at a time.

“We need to put our best effort, best foot forward every single time, and just continue to keep connecting the offense and defense and making sure we’re continuing the path that we’re on,” Karl said.

This article was originally published on Sept. 16, 2024, and was updated on Sept. 17 after the game against Illinois Wesleyan.