ST. LOUIS, Mo. – It might have been hot outside this afternoon, but the extreme heat was on the field as the No. 14 Washington University in St. Louis men's soccer team opened the 2026 season with a 5-0 win over Millikin on Francis Olympic Field.
The win was the third straight over the Big Blue in a season opener, including an 8-1 win in 2025 and a 5-0 win in 2024.
Controlling the ball from the start, it did not take long for the Bears to net their first goal of the season. Sophomore
Sebastian Valdes took a pass from senior
Ethan Wirtschafter that played over the goalie's head and bounced down before rolling into the goal at 8:26.
While maintaining possession for most of the next 17 minutes, the Bears finally broke through with an insurance goal in the 26th minute when first-year
Henry Wong-Foy took a long 37-yard pass from sophomore
Hale Fernandez and drove straight in for his first collegiate goal from the left side at 25:39.
Valdes scored his second goal of the contest less than four minutes later when he got a short pass in front of the goal from sophomore
Daniel Kochen, to put WashU ahead 3-0 at 29:32.
The Bears were not done scoring in the first half, with Wirtschafter netting his first goal of the season off a pass from graduate student
Peter Cirbo with just under 10 minutes left before intermission.
One more goal for WashU would put the Bears ahead 5-0 when Valdes paid Wirtschafter back from the first goal with a short pass, scoring the final goal of the contest.
Senior
Cal L'Hommedieu played all 90 minutes in goal to earn the win.
WashU outshot the Big Blue 30-5 while also holding the advantage in corner kicks, 12-1.
The Bears hit the road for the first time on Friday, Sept. 4, when they travel to North Park for a 5 p.m. contest in Chicago.
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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 athletics@wustl.edu.
