The WashU Bears are 17-0-2 and ranked No. 1 in the country. (Photo: Primo Greenway)

Steven Millbrook
Special to the Editor

The NCAA released its Division III women’s soccer tournament bracket on Tuesday, and just as expected the unbeaten Washington University Bears were the No. 1 overall seed and were selected to host the first two rounds of the tournament at Francis Olympic Field.

WashU, which is 17-0-2 on the season and last lost a game in last year’s national championship match, will host DePauw University in a first-round game on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Wisconsin-LaCrosse will play Simpson College in the other first-round game that evening. The winners will advance to the second round and play on Sunday.

The Sweet 16 round, also known as the national sectionals, will be on November 23, with the national quarterfinals slated for November 24.

The national semifinals and championship game will be played on December 5 and December 8, respectively in Las Vegas.

WashU played DePauw back in September and defeated the Tigers, 4-0. The victory was part of the Bears’ eight game winning streak to begin the season.

WashU played to a scoreless tie in its next game, then won nine straight, before playing to a 1-1 tie in its final game of the regular season.

The Bears hope to close the year with a six-game winning streak and bring home its first national title since the program won it all in 2016.

Image courtesy: NCAA.com