No. 15 WashU snaps women's soccer win streak
St. Louis, Mo. - Fontbonne women's soccer held the No. 15-ranked Washington University Bears to just two goals as the Bears snapped Fontbonne's four game win streak. Fontbonne is now 6-5-1 while the Bears have held eight teams scoreless this season.
After WashU started off with two corner kicks early in the game, Fontbonne received a free kick from their own 45 yard line. Junior Anna Whitaker took the kick, sending the ball near the top of the box where a WashU defender headed the ball straight up. Junior Meredith Wendt got control of the ball and had a great look in front of all defenders with a shot that curved wide right.
Fifteen minutes into the contest, senior goalkeeper Tayler Pulvirenti saved a direct shot from the Bears, but the scoreless game didn't last much longer. WashU finally converted their fifth corner kick of the night in the 16th minute when the ball was sent to the opposite corner and placed in by Katie Chandler for her third goal of the season.
The Griffins had free kick near sideline at 15 yd line at 41st minute which resulted in a throw in at the endzone line. Senior Heather Weigmann's throw-in found it's way out of the box directly to fellow senior Natalie Sipole whose shot whistled towards the left bottom corner of the net. WashU's All-American goalie Lizzy Crist made the diving stop to keep her team ahead.
WashU took a 2-0 lead in the 58th minute from the near side.
Pulvirenti made six spectacular saves in the game. The Bears' free kick from the opposite sideline was lofted right onto the goal line and punched out by Pulvirenti in the 62nd minute.
She then made another diving save in the 70th minute and a huge save in the 81st minute. WashU sent a long free kick which made Pulvirenti jump to punch the ball over the crossbar.
The crowd endured two long injury stoppages in the Wydown Showdown. With 11:39 remaining, Pulvienti and a Bear collided around the far goal post. Both players remained in the game following am evaluation with the Fontbonne and WashU athletic training staffs. Five minutes later junior Leann Smith collided with WashU's Mickelson who had to be taken off the field.
WashU held a 25-2 shot advantage over Fontbonne as well as a 6-0 corner kick advantage.
Fontbonne hosts Iowa Wesleyan Thursday at 6 p.m. followed by Greenville College at 1 p.m. on Saturday.