Washington U. Falls, 3-0, to Chicago in Regular Season Finale

CHICAGO-WASHU BOX

Chicago, Ill., November 7, 2009 – The No. 8 Washington University women’s soccer team suffered a 3-0 loss to the University of Chicago in both team’s regular season finale on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Stagg Field in Chicago, Ill. Washington U. falls to 14-3-1 overall and 5-1-1 in the University Athletic Association (UAA).  Chicago improves to 14-3-1 overall and 4-2-1 in UAA competition.

Despite the loss, Washington University and the University of Rochester tied for the UAA title, while the Bears earned the conference's NCAA automatic bid. This marks the fourth-straight conference title and seventh-consecutive NCAA appearance for WU.

still currently leads the University of Rochester in the UAA standings by one point. Rochester plays its regular season finale at Case Western Reserve University on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (ET). A Rochester loss or tie would result in a UAA Championship for the Bears, who defeated Rochester in the team’s head-to-head meeting, 2-1, on Oct. 18, in St. Louis, Mo.

Chicago got on the board in the 25th minute of the game, when Sarah Loh sent a shot from about 10-yards out through the legs of Washington University goalkeeper Clara Jaques, and the Maroons went into the half with a one-goal lead.

Chicago extended its lead less than 10 minutes into the second half, as Emily Benoit scored her third goal of the year, a 15-yard shot that was too high for Jaques to reach. With the Bears aggressively trying to find some offense and get back into the game, Kate Manuelli took a quick pass from Brooke Bontz in the 81st minute to score and stretch the UC lead to three goals.

The loss for Washington University was the first since the opening week of the season. The Bears started 2009 with an 0-2 record, falling 1-0 to Illinois Wesleyan University and Johns Hopkins University, but went on to post a 15-game unbeaten streak, and the Red and Green had not lost for seven-straight games before Saturday’s setback.