The Washington University women’s soccer team is no stranger to high expectations.

In the span of seven seasons, the Bears have played in two NCAA finals, advanced to three straight NCAA quarterfinals, from 2011 to 2013, and won three University Athletic Association (UAA) titles. Amidst all of these accomplishments, one key accolade has eluded them: a national championship.

Goalkeeper Lizzy Crist blocks a shot on goal in the Bears’ game against Rochester University. The Bears won this game 2-0 as Crist allowed no goals on four shots on goal.

Following last season’s national runner-up finish, the Bears enter this season with arguably higher expectations for a national title than ever before. The Red and Green return nine starters this year, including d3soccer.com’s Goalkeeper of the Year Lizzy Crist, and enter this season with a preseason No. 2 ranking by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

According to Wash. U. head coach Jim Conlon, however, the team is taking a more measured approach, focusing on winning one game at a time and securing a UAA title in order to clinch an NCAA tournament berth.

“I think there’s definitely the notion of winning a national championship, especially when we were that close, and [we’re] returning as many players as we are,” Conlon said. “We’re looking to win the UAA championship first. That’s the easiest way to get ourselves into the NCAA tournament.”

Offensively, the Bears return several key players, including senior forward Katie Chandler, who ranked second on the team with eight goals, and junior forward Rachel Mickelson, who recorded a team-high six assists.

However, the Red and Green will be without leading scorer Olivia Lillegraven after she graduated last spring. To help fill the void, the Bears plan to use a variety of attacking midfielders in order to develop an unpredictable attack that keeps opposing defenses on their toes.

“We’re actually going to try and get some more attack out of our midfield,” Conlon said. “We’re hoping that not just one woman is going to pick up for [Lillegraven’s] goal-scoring output.”

Nonetheless, Wash. U.’s success this season will likely hinge on whether its defense can come close to replicating last season’s performance. Seniors Lexie Sprague, Hannah Rosenberg and Megan Nicklay will anchor a strong and experienced back line that allowed just 0.38 goals per game last season and recorded 16 shutouts in front of senior goalkeeper Lizzy Crist, tying a Wash. U. single-season record.

“When we’ve got Hannah Rosenberg, Megan Nicklay and Lexie Sprague on the back line with Lizzy Crist behind them, we hope that our defense has already got some chemistry to it,” Conlon said.

It won’t be all smooth sailing for the Bears’ defense, however, as former starting defender Sam Ezratty graduated last spring. Juniors Elise Brown, Kelly Von Zup and Kat Kerska are all candidates to replace Ezratty on the back line, according to Conlon.

Although the upperclassmen are expected to play a major role on the pitch, Conlon believes that freshman midfielder Jesse Rubin could see playing time right away, but all six incoming freshmen could contribute this year.

The Bears begin their season on Friday with a road match against perennial rival Wheaton College, a team they defeated last season for the first time since 2006. The tough matchup is the first of a grueling September slate that includes up to three ranked opponents. According to Conlon, the challenging schedule will test the team before they compete for a UAA title in October and November.

“I think we’re one of those games that people like to see where they’re at with us, so that’s why every game to us is equally important because we know that we expect them to bring their best against us,” Conlon said. “We’re going to take it one game at a time and try to bring our best, assuming that they’re going to bring their best.”