Junior Ethan Wirtschafter is the fifth-leading goal scorer in Division III this season. (Ben Ganz | Contributing Photographer)

Entering their matchup on Oct. 4, the No. 7 WashU men’s soccer team had lost to Brandeis University for three consecutive seasons. Junior Ethan Wirtschafter was not going to let that happen again. 

With a hat trick, Wirtschafter led WashU to a 4-0 victory over the No. 12 ranked Judges. The striker from Boca Raton, Florida is now fifth in Division III with 12 goals on the season. 

“The mindset both myself and the team had going into this game was excitement and no fear,” Wirtschafter wrote in a statement to Student Life. “Whether the opponent is ranked or not, we come into every match with the same mentality, which is to dominate the opponent and play to our principles.”

WashU men’s soccer has been firing on all cylinders recently as they extend their win streak to eight games, with two huge wins in the past week. After beating Brandeis, WashU moved to No. 7 in the United Soccer Coaches poll. 

Brandeis got off to a quick start in the match, firing a shot on goal only one minute into the game that junior goalkeeper Cal L’Hommedieu saved. 

 The teams played even for most of the first half, the ball rarely leaving midfield. In the 22nd minute, WashU lined up for a corner kick. First-year Sebastian Valdes found junior defender Quentin Gomez in the box for a beautiful header, putting the Bears ahead 1-0. WashU struck again with five minutes before halftime. Junior Yash Kshirsagar assisted Wirtschafter for his first goal on the day. 

Only a minute later, Wirtschafter scored his second goal of the afternoon. As Brandeis’ goalkeeper attempted to clear the ball out of the Judges’ zone, the attempt bounced off of Wirtschafter’s chest and off the crossbar. The striker sped past the jogging Brandeis keeper and scored with a header, diving into the goal. The Bears confidently went into the locker room at halftime with a three-goal lead, holding the talented Brandeis offense to only two shots. In the locker room at halftime, the team was focused on continuing to pressure Brandeis while holding onto their lead to get their second win over a ranked opponent this season.

“There is a natural sense of satisfaction with a three-goal advantage, but the group did a great job in showing emotional intelligence and were not complacent going into the second half,” head coach Andrew Bordelon wrote in a statement to Student Life.

Both teams were able to get high quality shots, requiring both goalies to make key saves. Finally, the Bears found the back of the net for their fourth goal — from who other than Wirtschafter — off a pass from first-year Wole Adeoye. It was a special game for the striker, especially with his family in the stands supporting him.

“Any chance I get to play in front of my family is a privilege,” Wirtschafter wrote. “It was awesome to score three, but I always want to score even more.”

WashU was able to close out the game after two more saves from L’Hommedieu, securing a 4-0 win over a ranked Brandeis team. This their eighth win in a row and their second consecutive shutout. The win reflects the strength of this year’s team and how their collective hard work leads to positive outcomes.

“My goals only come from the team’s success and work rate,” Wirtschafter wrote. “I would not have success if it wasn’t for my teammates. What we did well today was continue doing the same thing we’ve done all year … [playing] with the same intensity and to the same principles that we have been committed to all season long.”

The Bears are hoping for this momentum to carry them through the rest of their UAA schedule. They will travel to face Case Western Reserve University on Oct. 11 and will continue to face tough opponents, including No. 2 Emory University later in October.