From Washington University Athletics

A goal by sophomore Jake Shapiro in the 80^th minute lifted the Washington University in St. Louis men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Westminster College (Mo.) Monday night at Francis Field.

The win for Washington U. was the 200^th victory for Joe Clarke as the head coach of the Bears. He is now 200-89-38 (.670) in his 18 seasons on the Danforth Campus, and 405-163-68 (.690) in 32 seasons as a collegiate head coach.

After playing to a scoreless tie in the first half, Washington U. dominated possession in the second half, playing most of the period on the Westminster side of the field. Sophomore Grant Baltes played the ball into the box in the 62^nd minute, but the Blue Jay goalkeeper made a diving save on freshman Andrew Zingone's header to keep the score 0-0. In the 70^th minute, Shapiro sent a cross into the box, but Westminster goalkeeper Raul Romero stopped the ball before any of the Bears were able to take a shot.

The Bears kept the pressure on and in the 77^th minute, junior Jack West gained control of the ball near the top of the box with his back to the net. He turned and fired a shot, but it went wide of the right post. In the 80^th minute, the Bears played the ball into the box, but a Westminster defender intercepted the pass and tried to clear the ball. The Blue Jay defender misplayed the clear attempt and Shapiro made a soft kick with his left foot to the right corner of the net to score his first goal of the season. It was Shapiro's sixth goal of his career, and his third game-winner. The Blue Jays had a chance to tie the score in the 83^rd minute. After a flurry in front of the Bears' goal, Westminster got a shot off, but sophomore Daniel Geanon made a diving save to preserve the win.

Neither team was able to put together much of an offensive attack in the first half. The Bears' best opportunity came in the 32^nd minute when sophomore Nick Politan headed a ball toward the goal, but the Westminster goalkeeper jumped up to punch the ball over the crossbar for the save. Washington U. got a good cross into the box in the closing seconds of the half, but Shapiro's shot was blocked and time expired with both teams scoreless.

The Bears finished with a 16-6 shot advantage in the match, and had five corner kicks to one for the Blue Jays. Geanon finished with one save, improving to 2-0 in his second start. He has not allowed a goal in 225 minutes of playing time this season.

Washington U. returns to action at Webster University Thursday, Sept. 18. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at St. Louis Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo.

Bear Notebook: Washington U. leads the all-time series between the two teams 17-1-2 … It was the 15th shutout in the all-time series between Washington U. and Westminster, including 14 wins for the Bears … Shapiro is the fifth different player to score for the Bears this season.