FENTON, Mo. – The No. 12 Washington University in St. Louis men's soccer team did not have to travel far for its weekend contest as the Bears faced off against in-city opponent Webster on Saturday evening. WashU scored late in the first half before Webster scored early in the second. It was then last-minute heroics as the Bears used a goal in the 88th minute of play to escape with the win over the Gorloks.
The Bears controlled the action for most of the first half, but it was not until the 37th minute at 36:15 when junior
Nik Avillo, who was on the right side of the box, found classmate
Ethan Wirtschafter just in front and to the right of the goal. Wirtschafter took the pass off his left foot before firing a quick goal to the opposite corner with the Webster goalie diving in the opposite direction.
It was quiet the rest of the half as the Bears took a 1-0 lead going into the break.
The Gorloks used a quick play that started around midfield and up to the left to bring the game even with a goal at 55:11.
With time winding down in the 88th minute, senior
Zach Susee, who was on the far right side, found first-year
Daniel Kochen streaking up the middle. Susee passed a lob right in front of the goalie and defender before Kochen fired the game-winning goal to the right corner at 87:27.
As a team, WashU fired 13 shots, including four on goal while allowing Webster only three total shots, all on goal. The Bears also led the Gorloks in corners (12-0) while both teams had a pair of saves.
In total, Susee fired five shots to lead WashU, while first-year
Miles Newman took four.
Junior
Cal L'Hommedieu played all 90 minutes in goal, making two saves to earn his seventh win of the season.
WashU returns to the friendly confines of Francis Olympic Field on Tuesday, Sept. 30, when it welcomes Greenville for an early week contest. Kickoff with the Panthers is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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Elevating scholar-champions requires resources beyond the institutional budget. Through the W Club, generous alumni, parents, and friends provide unrestricted support that is essential to the extraordinary WashU student-athlete experience—and the ongoing growth and development of the department. Annual support for Athletics allows the Bears to consistently rise to national levels of competition and ensures that our student-athletes enjoy exceptional opportunities as they train, compete, and lead. To make a gift to the Annual Fund for Athletics, please visit our secure online giving form or contact the Athletics Advancement Office at (314) 935-5279 or athletics@wustl.edu.
