As the WashU men’s soccer season kicks into action, one problem has loomed over the Bears: injuries. The team has lost player after player, leaving the Bears with only two healthy forwards and several first-years dropped into the starting eleven for the first time. 

Despite these absences, the Bears won in convincing fashion against Millikin University 8-1 on Aug. 29 but lost to Westminster College 2-1 two days later on Aug. 31. These games showed a glimpse of their tactical setup for the season to come and how the first-years will be integrated into the team. 

On Friday, the Bears attacked clinically against the Millikin Big Blue, headlined by junior Ethan Wirtschafter’s four goals, for which he was named UAA Athlete of the Week. 

“It was a great way to start the year,” Wirtschafter said. “I think we had a very strong beginning. I’ve never scored a hat trick in college before, so that was obviously very exciting for me. Although, I always want to score more goals. I always want to hold myself to very high standards, and I do think that I could’ve scored even more than that.”

Sophomore Quentin Wallace scored the first goal of the game in the eleventh minute, setting the tone for the rest of the game. The first two of Wirtschafter’s four goals then came in minute 19 and 22, both assisted by first-year Sebastian Valdes. Head Coach Andrew Bordelon commended Valdes for his performance in his collegiate debut.

“Sebastian has integrated well,” Bordelon wrote in a statement to Student Life. “He is a crafty player who is full of confidence. His ability to influence matches is already really good and I know [he] will continue to improve as he continues to build relationships on the pitch with other players.” 

After the break, Wirtschafter scored two more, along with first-year Wole Adeoye, sophomore Yash Kshirsagar, and junior James Whitehurst all with one each. Millikin denied the Bears a clean sheet with a consolation goal in the 79th minute.

Valdes, one of 14 new recruits this year, spoke about the team’s attitude that helped them score eight goals. 

“We were super confident going into the game because we knew all the preparation we had during preseason was going to be successful,” Valdes said. “As soon as the first whistle blew, we went 100% into all the tackles, and we attacked with menace. And it was great. And after the first goal, the goals just kept coming.”

During the game, nine first-years got playing time: Valdes, Adeoye, Miles Newman, Jack Hayeems, Hale Fernandez, Will Atticks, Nick Hammond, Roshan Greene, and Immanuel Goveas.  

Despite this trial of fire, the first-years have accustomed well, partially due to the help of upperclassmen. “I think that’s our job as upperclassmen is to make sure that the transition for them when they show up to school is very smooth, that they feel like they fit into the team, that they understand the team culture, the standards,” Wirtschafer said. “So I take that very seriously when it comes to making sure that the freshmen feel like they belong and that they’re in the right place.”

The Bears faced a tougher test on Sunday against the Westminster Blue Jays, who the Bears  have not faced since 2015 but shut out for six consecutive victories in the years prior. 

WashU conceded first in the 26th minute after junior goalkeeper Cal L’Hommedieu mishandled a long ball over the top, gifting Westminster a simple tap-in. Just three minutes later, the Blue Jays scored again from a cross into the box that the Bears did not close down.

Right before half-time, junior Quentin Gomez flicked in an impressive header from a corner from senior Zach Susee to pull the score back to 2-1. Despite increased pressure from the Bears in the second half, with ten shots to the Blue Jays’ zero, WashU were not able to break through and ultimately fell short. 

Valdes explained what the team’s performance was missing against Westminster. 

“We created so many chances, and we worked really hard with first and second balls,” he said. “But, ultimately, what failed us was the final touch, and I think that only comes with time and experience. It’s only the second game of the season, and, obviously, we’re gonna make mistakes. But as we settle in and get to know each other even more on the field, then the results are gonna come, and we’re going to keep scoring goals.”

Despite Sunday’s somewhat disappointing defeat, the Bears still put in some strong performances as they collectively adjusted to a starting lineup full of players getting their first official collegiate minutes. With several players scheduled to be out for an extended period of time, and the regular season kicking into full gear, the Bears will have to use these next matches to develop the team’s chemistry. 

Bordelon acknowledged the arrival of many new first-years but also how their talent will only continue to shine as the season progresses. 

“The first years are integrating well with the group,” he wrote. “We are still improving as a unit and very much looking forward to when it all clicks. The advice is simple, you were brought here for a reason, and we believe in all of them as players. As they continue to get used to new methodology and new ideas, while growing relationships on the pitch, it will be an exciting group.”

Next weekend, the Bears have two more games, starting with a home match against Elmhurst University on Friday Sept. 5 before traveling away to face Illinois College on Sunday, Sept. 7.