Spring Games

We have conducted the alumni game the last number of years on the weekend of the alumni reunions and the Thurtene Carnival.  It has worked great to increase the number of alumni at our game because they could join a number of activities on campus.  This year the track team is hosting the UAA championships that weekend.  It really does not work to squeeze an alumni game in on that weekend.   We will not get enough of a turnout on any other weekend.

Our game vs. SLU is scheduled for Sunday April 18.  We have no set time, SLU has not coach.  Joe has worked to try to get the game protected by those tending to the SLU program at the moment.  More than likely Joe will know whomever becomes the new coach and every thing will work out fine.  There will be a second game that day, details can not yet be quite determined.

Bears Receive NSCAA All Academic Team honors

Both the Men's and Women's Soccer Bear Teams received NSCAA All Academic Team honors...teams must have a collective GPA of 3.0 or higher... a  total of 575 schools were recognized.  On the women's side, our Bears ranked 9th out of 333 schools with a 3.58 GPA...AND were 1st of UAA schools.  The guys tied for 4th out of 143 schools...AND were also 1st of UAA schools.  Wash U was 1 of 99 schools to receive academic honors.  CONGRATULATIONS!!

This will have to help with recruiting

I am not really sure how it all happened, but I cannot say I am surprised.  I am happy that Joe is getting some well deserved attention.  The video takes some time to load, but it is worth it.

Click here to watch full size.

Women’s soccer: Bears advance to Sweet Sixteen with OT wins

Congratulations to the women!

Francis Field’s atmosphere was electric and tense this weekend as Washington University’s women’s soccer team defeated both Webster University and Illinois Wesleyan University in sudden death overtimes. With the victory against Illinois Wesleyan, the Bears advance to the NCAA’s Sweet Sixteen for the fourth time in row. The Red and Green face Wheaton (Ill.) on Friday, at a to-be-determined location.

“It’s really exciting. Being in a class that’s won the UAA every year and been to the Sweet Sixteen four years in a row feels good,” senior captain Becca Heymann said. “But we really want to win [the national championship].”

 Full Article: Women's soccer: Bears advance to Sweet Sixteen with OT wins

Losing 4 key ‘brothers,’ team reflects on season | Student Life

Stud Life has a nice article about the seniors on the team.

The Washington University men’s soccer team ended its 2009 season on Nov. 7 at the University of Chicago. After finishing fourth in the University Athletic Association and not receiving an at-large NCAA tournament bid, games ended sooner than the close-knit group of players had anticipated.

“I think in terms of our win-loss record, [the season] was not very successful and not as successful as we hoped,” senior co-captain Nat Zenner said. “[But] we really became a family over the course of the year, and that’s something that I’m really proud of and something that in the long run is probably more important than the wins and losses.”

Full Article: Losing 4 key ‘brothers,’ team reflects on season | Student Life

Thanks for sending this out Paul.

WUSTL Players Named to All-UAA Teams

Congratulations to Randy and Harry for selection to all UAA first team and to Nat, Alex and Cody for honorable mention selection.  The link to the WUSTL site story is bearsports.wustl.edu that does a nice job of highlighting these guys.

  

Thanks Paul for sending this out.

WUSTL at Chicago

The last game of the has a great summary by Paul Neumann.  Some photos from the trip are available along with the official release and box score.

 

It was a lovely day for soccer today although the Windy City lived up to its name.  60 degrees and sunny but with a brisk wind blowing left to right on the field.  the wind played a major role in the game as Chicago aided by the wind and familiarity with the field outplayed the Bears in the first half.
We possessed reasonably well in the mid field and defended well but all our touches in the offensive third went long and we created no chances on goal.  The parent squad was well represented with parents from six states and along with various relatives (Morgans, Hengels, Schoens), friends etc. we had over 50 people in the stands.
The Bears played their normal 4-4-2 with David Klein, Harry, Alex and Randy across the back (Nat Zenner did not play because of a sprained ankle sustained late in the NYU game) Cody and David Kanoff in the middle with Zach and John Duncan on the wings and John Hengel and Pat up top.  The defense was under pressure for about 1/3 of the first half and gave up a couple of shots on goal.  One from 12 yards out from the right side, in about the 25th minute, John Smelcer had a great save on as he dove left to get a hand on the ball and deflect it along the end line where randy cleared it away from danger.  About 5 minutes later a Chicago player beat their defender and took a shot from about 20 yards out on the ground just outside the far post.
the Bears subbed liberally in the half as Brian Wright came into the middle, Dylan Roman and Ryan came in up top and Mac subbed for Zach on one wing.
with the switch of ends the Bears came alive in the second half and put a reasonable amount of pressure on Chicago. Our best chance came when Dylan headed on a throw in and Ryan headed it to the far post but their keeper made a great save to push it wide.  Shortly afterwards Zach beat his guy into the box and laid off a ball for John Duncan who crushed a shot wide from about 25 yards out.  We generated a lot of offense with the wings and side backs overlapping and Cody and Brian won a ton of balls in the middle and John Duncan, Pat and John Hengel were very active winning balls up top so we generally dominated the game but did not score.  Chicago defended very well on corners and free kicks so most of our chances came out of the run of play.
The overtime gave them back the wind but we played the period even and looked fresher as we had subbed more and I was thinking we would win it in the second OT when with a little over a minute left Chicago had the ball at our end with our defense set at the 18.  We challenged for the ball about 22 yards out and they slid a pass into the box to a player who had two defenders with him.  We won the ball and cleared, he fell over the ball as it went out of the box and that was the call.  To say it was questionable is generous.
I will share a few postgame comments with you all:
from Arloa on the phone when I told her about the end of the game.  "well, it kind of frames the season as we start with Illinois Wesleyan and end with this"
from Joe  "this team did everything I asked them to, they practiced hard, showed up with a great attitude, and kept getting better.  they didn't get the results but that happens sometimes.  it has been a good season."
from Alex "to have a team that got along this well and played so hard and supported each other so much to not have a better record is just hard to understand."
It has been frustrating to see so many close games where we outplayed people result in losses or ties.  Having said that the reality of this team is it is a wonderful bunch of players who are truly function as a team.  You could see it the night before at the Zenners (wonderful food and thanks very much Ellen and Sheldon) and after the game at the Wisconsin food fest (thanks to Wrights, Hengels, Schoens, Chamberlins and some additional contributions from others as well).  I think about 75 people ate and there were still a few leftovers.    The players truly enjoy each others company, don't have this group or that group, they just have one group that happens to be the whole team.  it is a pleasure to witness.
We honored the seniors after the game presenting them with a ceremonial beer and a wustl FC shirt with we happy few etc. on it along with heir number.  if someone who took pictures could post them that would be great.
Kudos to the Zenners for attending the most games this season, to Mike Hendrickson for most travel miles to watch the Bears play and to all of you for a year of unparalleled support for WUSTL FC.  We had over 10 supporters at every away game and averaged over 20.  Three games (Emory, NYU and Chicago) we had more people in the stands than the home team when the opening whistle blew.    We had so many people help out with meals and cookies and arrangements you can't even begin to list them all.  So great season for the parent squad as well.
Please put April 24th on your calendars for the alumni game in St Louis.  Time TBA with some sort of food/festivities to follow.  There will also be a spring soccer game with SLU but no date is set yet.   Chamberlains, Neumanns, and I'm sure Mike Hendrickson plan to attend.  Hope to see many others there as well.  Have a great winter and we'll see you in April.
go bears!!!
paul