WashU Soccer Advances to Sweet 16 | Wirtschafter’s Game-Winner

WashU MenS Soccer Advances to Sectional Round After Defeating Chicago 1-0

A hard-fought victory propels the No. 12 Washington University in St. Louis men’s soccer team to the Sectional Round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007, following a 1-0 win against No. 3 Chicago on Sunday.

WHITEWATER, Wis. – The Washington university in st. Louis men’s soccer team continued its impressive postseason run, overcoming a challenging first half to defeat the University of Chicago in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.This victory marks the first time the Bears have reached the Sectional Round since 2007. The team previously defeated Chicago on November 8th to claim the UAA title.

Did you know?-WashU men’s soccer has made 15 total appearances in the NCAA tournament, with this being their first sectional appearance in 17 years.

First-Half Battle

The first half saw a dominant offensive push from Chicago, keeping the WashU defence on its toes. The Maroons maintained possession and generated several scoring opportunities, leading to a 4-1 advantage in shots. Despite this, Cal L’Hommedieu, the junior goalkeeper for WashU, didn’t need to make a save as all four of Chicago’s shots went off target. The bears struggled to establish their offensive rhythm, with their first shot attempt coming from junior Ethan Economist at 42:34, which sailed out of bounds.

Pro tip:-Counterattacks are crucial in tournament play. WashU capitalized on Chicago’s offensive pressure with a quick transition to score the winning goal.

Second-Half Surge and Decisive Goal

The momentum shifted dramatically in the second half. L’Hommedieu was forced into action early, making a crucial save in the 53rd minute on a low shot to the left. A quick counterattack saw senior Zach Susee attempt a shot less than a minute later, but it went high. The game remained scoreless until the 75th minute when Chicago forced another save from L’Hommedieu.

Promptly following the save, the Bears launched a swift counterattack, culminating in a decisive goal by Wirtschafter at 75:45. The goal gave WashU a 1-0 lead late in the contest. The Bears attempted to extend their lead with shots in the 70th and 80th minutes, but Chicago’s goalkeeper proved equal to the task.

Reader question:-What do you think was the key adjustment WashU made at halftime to turn the game around? Share your thoughts!

Defensive Stand and Tournament Progression

Chicago desperately sought an equalizer in the final ten minutes, but L’Hommedieu stood firm, making two more crucial saves in the 84th and 89th minutes to preserve the lead and secure the victory. WashU flipped the script in the second half, outshooting Chicago 5-4. Wirtschafter’s goal, scored on one of his three shots, proved to be the difference. Luca Violone, a sophomore, and first-year player Sebastian Valdes, along with Susee, also contributed to the Bears’ offensive effort with one shot each.

The winner of the Texas Lutheran and Trinity (TX) match will advance to face WashU in the Sectional Round next weekend. Those two teams are scheduled to play at 8 p.m. CT on Sunday, November 16th, with the location of the Sectional Round game yet to be determined.

the WashU Athletics program relies on the support of alumni, parents, and friends through the W Club to provide resources beyond the institutional budget, ensuring the continued success of its schola