Pair of Freshmen Lead Washington U. into NCAA Sectionals
St. Louis, Mo., November 13, 2011 — Freshmen Lillie Toaspern and Anna Zambricki each scored a goal to lead the No. 12 ranked Washington University in St. Louis women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the second round of the 2011 NCAA Division III Championship on Sunday night in St. Louis, Mo.
"This was a big win for our team," said fourth-year head coach Jim Conlon. "I think we played well tonight and I believe we are starting to play our best soccer in November."
Washington University, which tied a school record with its 17th of the season, takes on the College of St. Benedict in the Sectional Semifinal on Friday, Nov. 18, at a site to be determined. St. Benedict upset No. 9 Loras, 2-1, on Sunday to advance to sectional play.
Washington U. dominated play in the opening 15 minutes of play, registering the first seven shots of the game. Zambricki, who missed eight games near the end of the season with an injury, broke the scoreless tie with her 10th goal of the season at 13:38. Zambricki finished the play off after receiving a cross from sophomore Jessica Johnson. Zambricki has 10 goals in just 13 games in her rookie season.
Toaspern nearly made it a two-goal game in the 36th minute, as her header inside the box went just wide of the post. The Bears outshot UW-Oshkosh 11-2 in the first half and had two corner kicks.
Washington U. added an insurance goal in the 59th minute as Toaspern headed home a cross from sophomore Lauren Steimle to push the lead to 2-0. The goal for Toaspern was her team-leading 11th of the season.
Junior Clara Jaques saved the two shots she faced and picked up her 43rd-career victory. Jaques and the Bears defense have recorded four-straight shutouts and have not allowed a goal in 448 minutes played, a span of nearly five games. Washington U. outshot UW-Oshkosh 25-3 and had a 9-0 advantage in corner kicks.
"We have had a constant back four with Clara," Conlon added. "They are starting to figure out what works and the chemistry is important."
Bear Notebook: Washington University is 18-9-5 all-time in the NCAA Tournament … The two teams were meeting for the second time in school history … Conlon has guided Washington U. to an 8-3-2 record in NCAA Tournament play in his four seasons on the Danforth Campus.
