Box Score St. Louis, Mo., November 14, 2021 – The No. 6 Washington University in St. Louis women's soccer team punched its ticket to the Sweet 16 next weekend with a 1-0 win over Dominican on Sunday afternoon.
The Bears advance to play Wis.-La Crosse next weekend at a site to be determined. La Crosse beat St. Catherine (Minn.) to advance.
Although WashU maintained possession for much of the first half, the game winner would not come until the second half in the 68th minute. Sydney Essler sent a long throw into the box where there was scuffle and junior Riley Alvarez was able to chip the ball. It was ultimately knocked in by a Dominican defender.
The Bears spent much of the game knocking on Dominican's door, finishing the game with 16 shots, including five on goal, while the WashU defense limited the Stars to just two shots on goal.
Erin Flynn put the first shot on target in the 13th minute, which was saved by goalkeeper Ashley Ishman. The Bears continued to put pressure on the Stars' defense throughout the first half and had several shot attempts in a row.
In the 34th minute, a Flynn shot went out to the right of the goal. In the 35th minute, Jess Shapiro had one of the Bears' best chances with a turnaround attempt from the top of the box that was just wide of the goal. Shapiro put a shot on target in the 40th minute, which was saved.
WashU had a great chance just 1:15 into the second half as Gabbie Cesarone just narrowly missed scoring as the ball sailed over the net. In the 56th minute, Ariana Miles put a ball on-frame in the bottom right corner, which was stopped by Ishman.
In the 75th minute, the Stars registered their first shot, as a Sophia Bartridge's shot was saved by sophomore goalkeeper Sidney Conner.
The Bears pressed Dominican, looking for a second goal. Jolie Carl put a shot on goal in the 76th minute and Flynn added one in the 81st minute, both of which were saved by Ishman.
With less than two minutes left, Conner was tested again, this time by Hannah Anderson, but made the save to earn her 10th shutout of the season for a 0.38 goals-against average. Conner finished the game with two saves.
WashU now waits to find out where it will play next weekend in the sectionals. The Bears will play Wis.-LaCrosse and the winner of that game will face the winner of Loras and Centre for a chance at the Final Four.
