The No. 4 volleyball team won a dramatic match with No. 1 Emory University, 3-2, to win the 2008 University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship at the WU Field House Nov. 8. Senior rightside Nikki Morrison had 14 kills to power the Bears past their conference rival.
In what has become one of the most spirited rivalries in Division III volleyball, WUSTL and Emory have met to decide each of the last five conference championships, with the Bears winning three times.
Following its win over the nation’s top-ranked team, the Bears found out Nov. 10 that they would be the No. 1 seed in the Great Lakes Region of the 2008 NCAA Division III championship tournament.
The Bears, who won the 2007 NCAA Division III national championship, begin their title defense Thursday, Nov. 13, in Springfield, Ohio, against Frostburg State University in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Men’s soccer ends season on high note
The men’s soccer team closed out the regular season at home with a 2-1 double overtime victory over the University of Chicago Nov. 8.
Freshman Patrick McClean scored the game-winner early in the second overtime as WUSTL secured a fourth-place finish in the University Athletic Association (UAA) standings. Junior goalkeeper John Smelcer picked up his 12th win of the season for the Bears.
WUSTL (12-5-1, 4-3 UAA) outshot Chicago, 10-8, for the game and had a 12-7 advantage on corner kicks. The Bears allowed seven shots in the first half but only one in the final 58 minutes.
Prior to the game, WUSTL honored its seven seniors who played their final game at Francis Field. The senior class posted a 48-21-9 (.673) record during the four-year period and appeared in two NCAA tournaments.
Women’s soccer earns NCAA bid
The No. 8 women’s soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to the University of Chicago Nov. 8 at Francis Field in both team’s final University Athletic Association (UAA) contest of the season.
WUSTL outshot Chicago, 11-8, while both teams each had five corner kicks. The loss snapped the Bears’ 12-game home winning streak that dated back to last season.
Before the game, WUSTL honored its nine seniors who played their final regular-season game at Francis Field. The senior class has posted a 59-19-2 (.750) record during the four-year period, won three UAA titles and appeared in three NCAA tournaments.
WUSTL shared the UAA title with Emory University with a 6-1 conference mark but earned the NCAA automatic bid due to a 2-0 win over the Eagles Oct. 12.
The Bears host Principia College in the opening round at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15.
Football loses Founder’s Cup
The University of Chicago regained possession of the Founder’s Cup with a 17-14 victory over Washington University Nov. 8 at Stagg Field in Chicago.
WUSTL and Chicago were meeting for the 22nd consecutive season the Founder’s Cup, which commemorates the first football game played between two University Athletic Association (UAA) schools. The Bears lead the all-time series, 16-6.
Senior Buck Smith was 10-of-24 for 136 yards and two touchdowns before coming out of the game with an injury in the fourth quarter.
Senior Brent Sensenich led the defensive unit with seven tackles, including six solo.
WUSTL (5-4, 1-1 UAA) concludes the 2008 season at home at noon Nov. 15 against No. 13 Case Western Reserve. A win would secure the Bears their school-record 16th consecutive winning season.
Basketball teams play exhibition games
Both men’s and women’s basketall teams played exhibition games last week.
Senior Tyler Nading’s putback with 11 seconds remaining gave the NCAA Division III defending champion men’s basketball team a 91-90 double overtime victory at Division II University of Missouri-St. Louis Nov. 8.
The No. 6 women’s basketball team fell, 76-63, in an exhibition with NCAA Division I foe Saint Louis University at Chaifetz Arena Nov. 7.