From Washington University Athletics
The No. 6-ranked and defending national champion Washington University in St. Louis women's soccer team scored a pair of goals in a span of 41 seconds in the second half to shock No. 1 University of Chicago 2-1 in the regular-season finale Saturday at Stagg Field
WashU improved to 15-1-1 and 6-1 in the University Athletic Association (UAA), while Chicago suffered its first loss of the season and fell to 17-1 and 6-1 in the UAA. The UAA championship for the Bears is their fifth in the last sixth years, and 12th overall. WashU also gained the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"The team played well today. We had so many player's number called and they did their job," said WashU head coach Jim Conlon. "The collective effort and belief was outstanding."
WashU dominated play outshooting Chicago 19-9, and each team had five corner kicks. The Maroons enters the contest with eight-straight shutouts, and had not allowed a goal in conference play. Freshman goalkeeper Emma Greenfield made three saves and improved to 11-1.
Chicago wasted no time gaining the lead in the 17th minute as Mia Calamari blasted a free kick top shelf from 25-yards out to give the Maroons the 1-0 advantage. The goal for Calamari was her fifth of the season.
After sophomore Taylor Cohen's header went wide in the 33rd minute, Rachel Dias nearly made it 2-0 for the Maroons after her header went off the near post in the 35th minute.
WashU continued to press near the end of the first half, and senior Mariana Alisio gathered a rebound and fired a shot that went just left of the near post. The Bears outshot Chicago 9-4 in the opening half.
In the 64th minute, Cohen had a breakaway that was stopped by Chicago goalkeeper Miranda Malone. After the save, the ball was loose in the box and nearly went over the line on a shot by senior Mia Mastroianni.
The Bears continued to put the pressure on and junior Darcy Cunningham tied the contest with an unassisted goal in the 68th minute with a left-footed shot from 25 yards out.
Just 41 seconds left, freshman Ellie DeConinck got loose for a breakaway goal on an assist from Cunningham and Cohen to make it 2-1. The game-winning goal for DeConinck was her third in conference play.
The 2017 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Selection Show will be streamed live on www.ncaa.com on Monday, Nov. 7, at Noon (CT). The Bears will be making their 12th-straight NCAA appearance and 17th overall.
BEAR NOTEBOOK: WashU leads the all-time series with Chicago, 17-11-2, and the Bears have won the last seven meetings … WashU extended their road unbeaten streak to 14 games … The Bears are 12-1-1 against ranked teams the last two years … The game started an hour late due to a lightning delay prior to the men's game … Cohen led the league in scoring with 32 points.