FAUVER STADIUM – For years, the women's soccer team at the University of Rochester has played one of the nation's toughest schedules. It means the Yellowjackets can stand up to the rigors.
 
That was never more apparent than Saturday night when the Yellowjackets won their first game of the season, this one a 3-1 victory over Washington University-St. Louis. The Bears entered the game with a 7-1-1 record and were ranked 12^th in Division III. Rochester was 0-4-4. Seven of the eight previous opponents were ranked regionally this year and two have been in the top 20.
 
Jean Chakmakas scored two goals – nine minutes apart in the first half – and Jorie Freitag had the clincher with just over 10 minutes left. Sisters Megan Runyan and McKenzie Runyan had assists. Washington's goal came from Darcy Cunningham on a penalty kick in the 20^th minute.
 
Gwen Haffenden made eight saves and allowed one goal – the PK – in a full and very active 90 minutes. Washington unleashed 20 shots to six for the Yellowjackets. Lizzy Crist made one save for WUSTL. Rochester is 1-4-4, 1-0 in the UAA. WUSTL is 7-2-1, 0-1 in the UAA.
 
The two Chakmakas goals came off corner kicks. At 11:35, a corner was sent into the middle of the box and cleared temporarily by the WUSTL defense. Megan Runyan got to it. She sent it back in over the reach of Crist and Chakmakas leaped at the back post to head it into the top right corner.
 
Washington had two chances in the next eight minutes, denied both times by Haffenden. Four minutes after the opening goal, WUSTL's Caroline Dempsey turned in the right side of the box and fired. Haffenden went low to get it and had to keep it from squeezing through her with the net yawning. Three minutes later, Rachel Michelson played it ahead to Katie Chandler whose shot on the turn was saved by Haffenden.
 
The Bears got even from the penalty spot. Rochester was whistled for a handball in the box and Cunningham drove it to the top right hand corner.
 
Just over a minute later, Rochester was back in front – from a corner kick again. This time, the ball was scrambled away by the defense but Chakmakas found it at the right post and shot through a crowded area to the lower right corner for a 2-1 lead.
 
Haffenden made a good save to deny Jessie Rubin late in the first half and UR carried a 2-1 lead into the locker room.
 
The Bears stepped up the offensive pressure in the second half. Cunningham set up Dempsey for one shot (which was saved), then volleyed a shot past the right post. In the middle of the period, Jessica Ridderhoff dribbled through traffic and found some shooting room, but her attempt was blocked by the Rochester defense. Mia Mastroianni tried a 30-yard shot after collecting a free kick, but Haffenden snared it at the left post.
 
The clinching goal came as a result of a weak backpass and wet turf. Steady rain through the day made conditions soggy at times.
 
With just over 10 minutes left, a WUSTL defender tried to lay the ball back for Crist to drive downfield. The ball slowed considerably. McKenzie Runyan went around the defender and got to the ball. As Crist charged off the line, Runyan pushed the ball past her through the crease and Freitag kicked it into the middle of the net.
 
That proved to be vital in the last minute of play. A cross from right wing found Mickelson in point  blank range. Her shot was blocked by Haffenden and the Rochester keeper dove on it before an attacker could get to the rebound.