Posted: Sep 03, 2023
From Washington University Athletics
The Washington University in St. Louis men's soccer team defeated Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology by a final score of 3-1, Sunday to earn the team's first win of the young 2023 season.
The Bears' offense notched two goals in the first 21 minutes to race out to the quick advantage. With the win, WashU's record sits at 1-1, while RHIT's record dipped to 1-1.
In the 14th minute, WashU was on the receiving end of a free kick opportunity deep in RHIT territory. On the chance, junior Landon Green sent a ball from 30-yards out into the box. The boot rattled off several players, popped up into the air, and the Rose-Hulman keeper couldn't corral the bouncing ball. Once the ball landed, first-year Carter Sasser laced a shot into the low-left portion of the net for his first collegiate goal. Sasser's tally also marked the first of the year for WashU.
Just seven minutes later, WashU earned another free kick after a RHIT foul. This time, from about 40-yards out, Green laced the free kick into the 18-yard box. The ball landed on the turf, between several players, and took one bounce just over the keeper's outstretched arms for the Bears' second score of the half. After the goal, WashU took the commanding 2-0 lead in the 21st minute.
The Fightin' Engineers applied pressure on the Bears defense, but senior Reece Nicholson and company were able to keep the 2-0 cushion intact as the match progressed to the 27th minute.
WashU manufactured another chance in the 42nd minute, but a shot from sophomore Nathan Szpak went wide left. After a Bears foul right before the intermission, RHIT was awarded a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box. The free kick sailed over the top of the net to send the match to halftime, with WashU leading, 2-0.
In the first 45, both teams notched four shots. However, the Bears secured three on frame, while all of RHITs shots were off the mark. Rose-Hulman grabbed one save, while WashU had zero saves.
Just two minutes into the second half, WashU earned a free kick from 23-yards out to set up a golden opportunity. Green's ensuing free kick was bending towards the lower left post, but the RHIT keeper made a niffy diving grab to keep WashU's advantage to two.
In the 50th minute, after a RHIT turnover near midfield, junior Joseph Hipskind grabbed the loose ball, took a couple of dribbles, and placed a perfect pass on the boot of senior John Daniels. Daniels secured the pass down the left side of the pitch and drilled a shot to the far post. The shot whizzed past the keeper to give the Bears a 3-0 lead. On the goal, Hipskind was credited with his first helper of the season.
A WashU foul in the box gave the Fightin' Engineers a penalty kick in the 65th minute. The try was successful as the ball slid past the Bear keeper to cut the WashU advantage to 3-1.
With the clock just under 12 minutes, Rose-Hulman generated a flurry of offensive activity and earned a free kick just beyond the 18-yard box. On the free kick, first-year keeper Cal L'Hommedieu made an incredible save to his left to preserve the 3-1 advantage. L'Hommedieu sprawled into action, utilizing a full extension dive as he deflected the ball out of the box.
The Bears were able to fend off the Rose-Hulman comeback efforts with the 3-1 victory.
WashU owned the upper hand in shots (8-6) and shots on goal (6-2). Green and Daniels were both credited with two shots each.