WashU defender Rabee Haidari makes a crossing pass during Thursday’s men’s soccer match against Principia. (Photo: Primo Greenway)
| NCAA Soccer – Sept. 7, 2023 | 1 | 2 | Final |
| WashU (2-1) | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Principia (0-3) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Scoring Summary
| Time | Team | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 20:11 |  | Christopher Alwang (1) Assisted By: Zach Susse. |
| 40:52 | | Ethan Wirtschafter (1) Assisted By: Colin Link. |
| 46:34 | | John Daniels (2) Assisted By: Peter Radovich. |
| 51:15 | | Peter Radovich (1). |
| 79:25 | | Joseph Hipskind (1). |
Jason Barnes
Staff Writer
ELSAH, IL — The Washington University men’s soccer team gave a strong offensive performance, Thursday night, to earn a 5-0 win over host Principia College.
Two early goals in the first half and a trio in the second half propelled WashU past the Panthers for the program’s second straight win. The match saw five different players record a goal. The Bears outshot Principia 21-5 and lifted their record to 2-1, while Principia fell to 0-3.
Senior defender Rabee Haidari was credited with the first shot for either side in the 13th minute. The shot sailed over the top of the net to warrant a Principia goal kick. Just 30 seconds later, junior Landon Green laced a shot to the bottom right corner but was swooped up by the Panther keeper.
WashU maintained pressure in the Panther defensive third that resulted in a flurry of offensive action. The Bears notched back-to-back shots in the 18th and 19th minutes, but two high quality sprawling saves kept the match tied at 0-0.
In the 21st minute, senior Christopher Alwang registered his first goal for the Bears. Alwang sprinted into the 18-yard box and was on the receiving end of a through ball. Once Alwang grabbed possession, he flicked the ball up and over the charging keeper as the ball rolled into the left side of the goal to give WashU the 1-0 lead.
Principia had its first chance in the 30th minute on a free kick from 30-yards out. The free kick soared up and over the net for a WashU goal kick. Just a few moments later, the Panthers were awarded another free kick from the same spot. This time, the free kick landed in the 18-yard box and harmlessly rattled off a few players that resulted in a Principia throw in.
In the 41st minute, after a Principia turnover near midfield, WashU sprang into action. First-year Colin Link produced a nifty cross from just beyond the top left corner of the 18-yard box. The cross found fellow first-year Ethan Wirtschafter. Wirtschafter headed the ball towards the right post. The shot landed just under the keeper’s diving arm and found the back of the net to open up the 2-0 advantage. The goal marked the first in Wirtschafter’s career and the assist was the first for Link.
The first half ended with a WashU free kick that landed over the net. In the first 45, with WashU leading 2-0, the Bears got off eight shots (five on frame), compared to Principia’s three shots (none on frame).
With the Panthers playing a man down, head coach Joe Clarke wasted little time dialing up more offense after the intermission. Just one minute and 34 seconds into the second 45, Radovich won a 50/50 ball beyond the 18-yard box. Radovich made a move on the defender, ran near the baseline, and delivered a perfect cross to senior John Daniels. Daniels settled and delivered WashU’s third goal, off the helper from Radovich. The goal marked the second of the year for Daniels and the first assist for Radovich. After the tally, the Bears welcomed a 3-0 advantage.
In the 52nd minute, after a turnover near midfield, sophomore Peter Radovich received the ball in stride and ran 40-yards down field. Once in the 18-yard box, Radovich torched his first goal of the season to open up a 4-0 cushion. The shot was sent over the leaping arms of the keeper and found the back of the net.
Off a corner chance in the 80th minute, junior Joseph Hipskind scored WashU’s fifth goal of the contest. Hipskind’s goal marked the first of the year.
In the end, WashU won their second-in-a-row by a final score of 5-0. The Bears outshot Principia by a final tally of 21-5. Radovich produced a match-high three points.
The Bears will turn their attention to the program’s home opener at Francis Olympic Field against Aurora University on Sunday, September 10. Kickoff between the Bears and Spartans is slated for 1 p.m.
WashU sports information contributed to this story.