Women’s Soccer Outlasts Thomas More 2-0 in NCAA First Round

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St. Louis, Mo., November 12, 2011 — The No. 12 ranked Washington University in St. Louis women’s soccer team advanced to the second round of the 2011 NCAA Division III Championship with a 2-0 win over Thomas More College on Saturday night at Francis Field in St. Louis, Mo.

Washington U. (16-4), who is making is 11th NCAA appearance, takes on the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Sunday at 5 p.m. in the regional championship. The Titans advanced with a 2-1 shootout victory over Ohio Wesleyan University in the second game.

“It is nice to have a multiple goal shutout win against a quality opponent in the NCAA tournament,” said fourth-year head coach Jim Conlon. “The girls played together and stuck to the game plan.”

Thomas More (12-5-1) controlled the first 10 minutes of play registering the first three shots of the game. Washington U., though, got on the scoreboard first in the 14th minute. Senior Lee Ann Felder made a nice cross into the box that sophomore Lauren Steimle finished into the back of the net to make it 1-0. Thomas More outshot Washington U. 6-3 in the opening half.

The second half was all Washington U., outshooting the visitors by a mark of 14-5. Following a foul near midfield, sophomore Kate Doyle sent a free kick into the box that Felder flicked with her head. The ball deflected off the crossbar and landed on the foot of freshman Lillie Toaspern, who volleyed the ball into the net to tie Steimle for her team-leading 10th goal of the year.

Washington U. outshot Thomas More 17-11 for the contest and had a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks. Junior goalkeeper Clara Jaques made three saves en route to her 42nd career victory.

Bear Notebook: Washington University is 17-9-5 all-time in the NCAA Tournament … Felder moved into a tie for fifth on the all-time list with 21 career assists … Thomas More was making its second appearance in the NCAA Tournament.