The Washington University women’s soccer team stands ready to defend its national championship crown.
The Bears earned the number-one seed in the Division III NCAA Tournament and will host their first-round game Saturday, November 15, at 11 a.m.
This marks the third consecutive year WashU begins its playoff journey at home. The Bears enter the tournament riding a remarkable 43-game unbeaten streak with just four draws during that stretch.
After falling in the 2023 national championship game, they bounced back to win the 2024 national title in dominant fashion.
Head coach Jim Conlon knows the postseason brings new challenges. Every match pits his team against elite opponents with their season hanging in the balance.
Conlon wrote after their final regular season game that being in the NCAA tournament is always an honor.
“It is hard to get there — we will focus on being good at the basics,” he explained. The Bears proved they belong by dominating the toughest conference in Division III soccer.
WashU cruised through the University Athletic Association schedule with six wins and one draw.
The conference sends seven teams to the NCAA tournament this year, showing just how competitive it is. The Bears captured their third straight UAA championship by setting themselves apart from their rivals.
The Bears won crucial road games against top-ranked opponents during conference play. They beat then-number-three Case Western Reserve University on October 11.
Two weeks later they knocked off then-number-two Emory University on October 26.
WashU tied number-seven University of Chicago 0-0 in their final conference game on November 8.
But the Bears enter the tournament battle-tested after facing some of the nation’s most formidable teams all season long.
The Bears overwhelm opponents with their high-powered attack. They average 3.72 goals and 23.3 shots per game this season.
Sophomore forward Olivia Clemons leads the team with 15 goals after a breakout first year.
Clemons won UAA Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. She typically comes off the bench but provides a spark for the WashU offense every time she steps on the field.
Senior forward Grace Ehlert scored 12 goals this season after earning First-Team All-American honors last year.
Senior forward Ella Koleno creates scoring chances for her teammates.
She leads the team with 10 assists and makes plays all over the attacking third. The Bears control games by winning the midfield battle.
Junior Sophie Viscovich earned First Team All-UAA honors for her work in the middle of the park.
Sophomore Kate Martin made the Second Team All-UAA and combines with Viscovich to dominate possession. The WashU backline shuts down opponents when needed.
The Bears allowed just six goals in the entire 2025 season. Seven total players earned All-UAA honors: Clemons, Ehlert, Koleno, Viscovich, Martin, junior forward Madi Foley, and junior goalkeeper Kassidy Lanthier.
This depth gives WashU multiple weapons to deploy against tournament opponents.
The Bears face Wilmington College in their opening match. The Quakers qualified for the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2003 after winning the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament.
WashU enters as heavy favorites based on common opponents.
Both teams played Centre College this season. The Bears crushed Centre 5-1 early in the year.
Wilmington lost to Centre 1-0 during their schedule. Seniors Alex Wilson and Jordan Snyder led the OAC in scoring and power Wilmington’s attack.
A victory over Wilmington sends WashU to the second round against either Loras College or North Central College.
Loras boasts Division III’s strongest defense after allowing just two goals all season.
Senior Sierra Morgano won the American Rivers Conference Defensive Most Valuable Performer award and anchors their back line.
WashU holds a 4-2-1 record against Loras in seven previous meetings. The Duhawks won the American Rivers Conference championship and bring momentum into the tournament.
North Central captured the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin title for the third straight season.
Junior Jordan Lange leads the team with 11 goals and 9 assists. Senior Kassandra Saviola won CCIW Defensive Player of the Year for the third consecutive season.
The Bears already beat North Central twice this year. They won 1-0 in September and 5-1 last season.
Both potential second-round opponents bring conference championship momentum and strong defenses that could challenge WashU.
The Bears host their bracket and enter the opening weekend as favorites to advance. But Loras or North Central both have the defensive organization to frustrate WashU’s attack.
The Bears must play their best soccer to sweep the first two rounds.
WashU’s unbeaten streak and dominant regular season make them the team to beat.
They proved they can win on the road against ranked opponents. They showed they can break down organized defenses with their attacking weapons.
The Bears also demonstrated mental toughness by bouncing back from their 2023 championship game loss.
They won it all in 2024 and return hungry for more. Their depth, experience, and talent give them every tool needed for another championship run.
The tournament begins Saturday morning at WashU’s home field. The Bears will look to take another step toward defending their national title.
With the target on their backs as the top seed, WashU must prove once again they are the best team in Division III women’s soccer.
