St. Louis, Mo. – For the 12^th time in program history, the Washington University in St. Louis women's soccer team is headed to the Elite Eight. The Bears defeated UAA foe No. 7 Carnegie Mellon, 2-1, in the Sweet 16 to survive and advance.
 
After a scoreless first half, Carnegie Mellon took a 1-0 lead just 1:46 into the second half. CMU's Gemma Jefferson netted a penalty kick following a foul in the box.
 
Just under 20 minutes later, in the 66^th minute, senior Maggie Brett scored her team-leading 12^th goal of the season as she dribbled around a defender in the right corner and fired a shot to the far side.
 
Just over three minutes later, the Bears took a 2-1 lead which held until the end. Brett chased down a ball on the right side and sent a cross into the box where first-year Ella Koleno sent a right foot shot into the left corner of the goal.
 
The goal marks Koleno's third of the year and Brett's eighth assist.
 
Junior goalkeeper Sidney Conner made seven saves on the day, starting with a shot from CMU's Alex Adams in the ninth minute. She stopped shots from Cecelia Dieterich in the 13^th and 22^nd minute and made one finals save on a ball from Catherine MacNichol in the 42^nd minute to keep the Tartans off the board at the half.
 
Conner made saves on Maria Askounis shots in the 47^th and 59^th minutes. As the time ticked down, Conner stopped two balls from Breana Valentovish in the 79^th and 82^nd minute, preserving the win for WashU.
 
The Tartans had the advantage in shots, registering 17 to the Bears' eight, including eight on goal, but the teams were even with two corner kicks apiece.
 
WashU will face No. 5 Messiah in the Elite Eight on Sunday evening at 6 p.m. ET. The winner will advance to the Final Four, beginning on December 2 in Salem, Va. The Bears have made it to five Final Fours in program history, last making the trip in 2018.