Box Score Fenton, Mo., Sept. 19, 2014 – The No. 1-ranked Washington University in St. Louis women's soccer team rallied from its first deficit of the season to post a 2-1 victory at Webster University Friday night at the St. Louis Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo.
Washington U. improves to 7-0 with the win, while Webster falls to 2-3-2. The Bears are one of 22 undefeated teams left in NCAA Division III, and are unbeaten in the their last 22 games dating back to the 2013 season.
The Bears outshot Webster 26-3 and had a 10-2 advantage in corner kicks. Webster goalkeeper Rachael Ainsworth made 13 saves in the loss, fourth most in school history.
The Gorloks struck first in the 13th minute after a misplay by the Washington U. backline. Senior Tessa Delaney played a back pass to sophomore goalkeeper Lizzy Crist, but a miscommunication between the two allowed Kayla Dye to fire a shot from just inside the 18 into an open net after neither Washington U. player got a foot on the ball. The goal was the first given up by WUSTL this season – a span of 558:17.
Trailing for the first time this year, freshman Mia Mastroianni brought some much-needed spark off the Washington U. bench. She was left open in the box on back-to-back offensive opportunities, but both of her headers snuck over the crossbar.
The Bears knotted the score in the 31st minute after freshman Megan Renken took a flick from senior Lillie Toaspern and fired a left-footed shot just outside the 18 into the upper corner. The goal for Renken was the first of her career. Washington U. outshot Webster 14-2 in the first half and had a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks.
Washington U. continued to put the pressure on the Gorloks in the second half, and scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 70th minute after junior Anna Sippel knocked in a rebounded from Toaspern. The initial point-blank shot from Toaspern was deflected away Ainsworth, but Sippel was there to knock in the rebounds from 10 yards out. The goal for Sippel was the second of the season and seventh of her career.
Crist made one save for Washington U. in the win as she improved to 5-0.
Washington U. begins a two-game home stand on Tuesday, Sept. 23 against Principia College. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at Francis Field.
Bear Notebook: Washington U. leads the all-time series with Webster, 14-0-2 … The Bears are 46-3-2 in the last three seasons … WUSTL is off to a 7-0 start for the first time since 2007, and third time in school history … Washington U. has outscored its opponents 22-1 this season … Toaspern upped her career point total to 99 with a pair of assists.
