The top-ranked volleyball team improved its record to 10-0 by winning four matches over top-25 opponents at the Washington University/ASICS National Invitational this past weekend.
The Bears topped No. 12 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (25-21, 27-25, 25-23) and No. 11 Elmhurst College (25-18, 25-23, 23-25, 25-14) on Friday, before beating No. 24 Otterbein University (25-18, 25-18, 25-19) and Concordia College (Minn.) (25-12, 25-17, 25-22) on Saturday to win the tournament championship.
Junior outside hitter Meghan Byrne, senior outside hitter Drew Hargrave and senior libero Kelly Pang were each named to the all-tournament team for the Bears. Pang posted 82 digs and five ace serves in the tournament, and surpassed 2,000 career digs during WUSTL’s win over Otterbein. She now has 2,026 career digs, just 19 shy of becoming the Washington University all-time career digs leader. Byrne (50 kills, .248 hitting percentage) and Hargrave (54 kills, .287 hitting percentage, five blocks) led the Bears offensively in each of the four matches.
Washington University travels to Springfield, Ohio, to play in the Wittenberg University Fall Classic on Friday-Saturday, Sept. 14-15. The Bears will face the past two NCAA Division III National Champions, No. 5 Wittenberg and No. 3 Calvin College, on Friday, before taking on No. 22 Heidelberg University and No. 8 Hope College on Saturday.
Women’s soccer outlasts Loras 1-0 in double overtime
Senior Emily Gosché’s goal in the 103rd minute gave the No. 9 ranked women’s soccer team a 1-0 win over Loras College on Friday at Francis Field.
Gosché, who notched the fourth goal of her career, sent a free kick from just outside the 18 over the head of Loras goalkeeper Hannah Wilson for the game-winner almost eight minutes into the second overtime. The goal for Gosché was the first since her sophomore year, a span of 26 games.
Senior goalkeeper Clara Jaques recorded two saves in the win and picked up career-win number 47, tops in school history. Jaques also moved into a tie for fifth in school history in shutouts with 20.
The victory for the Bears was their 11th-straight at home, and improved their record to 39-7-2 (.833) at Francis Field in five seasons under head coach Jim Conlon. In addition, WUSTL has allowed just one goal this season in 284:10 minutes, good for a 0.32 goals against average.
WUSTL (3-0) begins a five-game road trip at Fontbonne University on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. at Centene Stadium on the campus of Clayton High School.
Men’s soccer plays to draw against No. 3 Loras
The men’s soccer team played to a 0-0 double-overtime tie against No. 3-ranked Loras College on Friday night at Francis Field.
Junior goalkeeper Jonathan Jebson made a season-high eight saves to earn his second shutout of the season for WUSTL.
Loras outshot the Bears, 23-7, in the contest, and the Duhawks had a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks. WUSTL managed only two shots on goal in the game.
WUSTL (2-0-1) begins a three-match roadtrip by traveling to Pella, Iowa, to take on Central College at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11. Live video and stats of the match will be available at http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/central.portal#.
Football team suffers 20-17 overtime loss at Rhodes
The football team dropped its overall record to 0-2 following a 20-17 loss at Rhodes College on Saturday.
Junior Lukas Stockhausen booted a 37-yard field in overtime for Rhodes The offense struggled for the second-straight game picking up just 214 yards of total offense (104 passing, 110 passing). Senior quarterback Dan Burkett was 10-of-25 for 104 yards and was sacked three times, while senior running back Chris Castelluccio rushed 23 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns.
Sophomore linebacker Fade Oluokun made a career-high 16 tackles in the loss, while sophomore defensive lineman Tommy O’Hern added a career-best 10 stops. Senior defensive lineman William Small also had a career game with nine tackles and a sack of three yards.
Washington University begins a two-game homestand against Coe College on Saturday, Sept. 15. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Francis Field.