In a tight defensive struggle where offense was hard to find, junior Katie Chandler scored in the 84th minute to lift the No. 12 Washington University women’s soccer team over No. 4 Illinois Wesleyan University 1-0 on Saturday afternoon at Francis Field.  

Holly Ravazzolo | Student Life

Freshman Darcy Cunningham dribbles the ball past an Illinois College defender on Sunday, September 20th. The Bears won this game 4-0 along with a 1-0 win over Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday, Semptember 19th.

In the 84th minute, Chandler took a pass from senior Olivia Lillegraven and sophomore Rachel Mickelson down the left sideline and beat a pair of defenders and fired an arcing shot into the back-right corner of the net past the hands of the diving goalie. After sharing the team lead in goals (9) with the graduated Lillie Toaspern last season, this was Chandler’s first goal of the season, and both Lillegraven and Mickelson were credited with the assist. After the Bears failed to convert on six shots-on-goal, the game clock refocused the offense.

“You just have to stay composed when the shots aren’t falling,” Chandler said. “You can’t get rattled or frustrated, and you have to stay in the moment. When we saw that there was 10 minutes left, we just told ourselves that these next shots have to go in, and we played up to that mentality.”

“The ball was just bouncing around, and we were trying to find the net,” Chandler added. “Making those full opportunities and finishing those shots are what we’ve been working on in practice.”

However, one person was noticeably absent from the sideline during Chandler’s goal—head coach Jim Conlon, who was seen running to the restroom a minute prior to the game-winning goal.

“I may or may not have been present to watch Katie’s goal,” Conlon said, grinning. “I’m just glad the girls played well…They really executed well against a very good Illinois Wesleyan team.”

Though this was Chandler’s first goal of the season, it was not her first game-winning strike. Last season, Chandler carried the Red and Green to a 1-0 victory over then-No. 11 University of Chicago. Her history of clutch performances also dates back to her freshman year when she netted three game-winning goals for the Bears.

The Bears’ backline was tested throughout the game, but junior goalkeeper Lizzy Crist anchored the defense with two saves, including a diving grab in the 65th minute. The Red and Green challenged every possession, stifling any momentum Illinois Wesleyan was trying to muster.  

With the upset, Wash. U. has now won the last five meetings over the Titans. This is also the fifth-straight game that has ended in a one-goal margin.

On Sunday, the Red and Green continued their home stand by coasting to a 4-0 victory over Illinois College. In stark contrast to the Bears’ defensive battle on Friday, the Red and Green shelled the Lady Blues for 55 shots (24 on goal). Senior Liz Collins (25:17), sophomore Mariana Alisio (36:46), freshman Darcy Cunningham (48:25) and Mickelson (68:02) all netted goals for the Bears. With the victory the Red and Green improve to 6-1 on the season.

Wash. U. will travel to Illinois to play No. 24 Wheaton College this Saturday.

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to clarify that the game against Illinois College took place on Sunday, September 20th, not Saturday, September 19th. Additionally, the original post stated that the women’s Illinois College soccer team was known as the Blueboys, when in fact they are known as the Lady Blues.