For the first time after 1111 minutes of play, the Wash. U. women’s soccer team found themselves behind against the University of Rochester. However, the Bears would not be behind for long.

In just eight days, the Washington University women’s soccer team will start its season on the road against No. 22 Loras College. The early exit from the NCAA tournament in 2017 was a bitter pill to swallow after winning it all the year before.

How do you replace Division III’s best player and still compete for a championship? That’s the question head coach Jim Conlon and the Washington University women’s soccer team are trying to figure out.

After making it to the national championship in 2015 and earning a No. 8 national billing in the last weekend of this regular season, the Washington University women’s soccer team was expected to make a statement as the team hosted the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament at Francis Field this weekend. And they did.

Playing against its third top-10 opponent in four games, the Washington University women’s soccer team defeated previously undefeated No. 4 Carnegie Mellon University 1-0 behind a smothering defensive effort on the road Saturday.

Following a record-setting 20 victories last season, but a third consecutive heartbreaking defeat in the NCAA Quarterfinals, the No. 4 Washington University women’s soccer team returns to the field this fall hungrier than ever for a deep postseason run.

After a record-setting season that ended in playoff disappointment, Washington University head women’s soccer coach Jim Conlon earned Division III Central Region Coach of the Year honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Conlon received the award for the second straight season. He led the Bears to the second No.

On Saturday evening, No. 4 Wheaton College defeated the No. 12 Washington University women’s soccer team, 2-0, off of two second-half penalty kicks. “It was a great game,” head coach Jim Conlon said. “Wheaton is a talented team and they really made us play to our assets.” In the first half, the two unbeaten teams were evenly matched.

The 2010 Washington University women’s soccer team showcases a skill not many other teams possess—a flip throw-in. Freshman midfielder Becky Berels brought this non-traditional technique to Wash. U. and has used it throughout the Bears’ season.

The Washington University women’s soccer team (10-6-2, 3-1-2 UAA) resumed University Athletic Association play this past weekend against Brandeis University and New York University. The Bears fell 2-0 to Brandeis on Friday, Oct. 29, but they defeated NYU 2-1 on Sunday, Oct. 31.