Sept. 12, 2025 – Hosting the reigning national champion inside Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, the North Central College women's soccer team delivered its grittiest performance of the season, limiting Washington University in St. Louis to a single goal in a hard-fought 1-0 loss. North Central's record levels out to 3-3 on the year while WashU moves to 5-0.
The result is the smallest margin of victory for the Bears this season, as the Cardinal defense and sophomore goalkeeper
Lily Mattison pushed the 2024 champions to the wire. Mattison put on quite the show between the posts, recording a career-high 14 saves while facing 28 shots, the second-lowest shot attempts total for WashU this season.
Mattison racked in 11 saves in the first half alone as the Bears took 20 shots through the first 45 minutes.
WashU scored the sole goal of the game in the 22nd minute as a deep pass cleared the North Central back line with a foot race to the goal ensuing. WashU's Olivia Clemons got there first for the chip shot to take the 1-0 lead.
Mackenzie Loomis held down North Central's back line, preventing multiple attacks down the line. Mattison thwarted back-to-back efforts by the Bears in the 35th minute as Grace Ehlert attempted a bicycle kick, with Mattison nabbing the stop. The Cardinal keeper was unable to maintain control, giving WashU's Clemons a chance on the rebound, but Mattison was quickly back in position for another save.
Lucy Burk tried to utilize a fast break at the 15-minute mark to get the Cardinals on the board, but the Bears' defense swooped in for the take-away before she could get a shot off. With under two minutes left in the opening half, Mattison delivered a clutch diving save to keep the game within one heading into the break.
The second half saw North Central's offense get more involved as the Cardinals took six shots compared to just one in the opening half. Additionally, North Central further tightened up its defense in the second half, holding the Bears to just eight shots.
WashU's next closest chance was in the final two minutes of play when Clemons went on the run, but Loomis tracked her down to prevent the one-versus-one look with Mattison and held the Bears to a 1-0 showing.
North Central will take the week off from competition before returning to action on Friday, Sept. 19, when the Cardinals travel to Danville, Ky., for a non-conference match with Centre College.
