The Washington and Lee University women’s soccer team has set itself up for success as the Generals enter tournament play.

The women’s soccer team is undefeated in conference play at 10-0. They are set to host games in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) tournament as the No. 1 seed.

The team is currently ranked No. 6 by the NCAA Power Index (NPI), which is a mathematical formula that determines 21 of the 64 bids for the national championship tournament. The remaining bids are automatic for teams that win their conferences, respectively. The Washington and Lee women’s soccer team has never been ranked this high.

The Generals began their season by playing some highly ranked opponents, including No. 5 Johns Hopkins University, who they beat 1-0.

That was the Generals’ first game on their home field. Captain Bryn Bissinger, ’26, said it was the team’s first “ominous game” of the season.

Alex Rees, ’28, agreed that everyone was nervous about the game. She said even the seniors hadn’t played a team that good.

“When we scored the first goal, we realized that we were in the game and had a good chance of beating them,” Rees said. “And we played really, really well, so it was a really good experience just seeing how good we could be this season.”

Coach Tiffany Pins said that the Generals faced tough competition during their non-conference games in September, often on the road. They played other top ranked Division III teams, including Swarthmore College, No. 5 Emory University and No. 3 Christopher Newport University.

“It was really challenging in September, but the team did really well in those environments,” Pins said. “They were tested in different ways that they hadn’t been before, and we found some success.”

With a long season comes injuries and ups and downs, but Pins said that a range of players have stepped up. She emphasized that everyone has a role on the team.

“We did have some injuries early on, which kind of changed the dynamics, but people stepped up,” Pins said. “Our mission is team-oriented, it’s not about one individual, and everybody matters on our team.”

The women’s soccer team focuses on their culture, Rees said. One tradition that is unique to them is the bamboo. On their social media, they often say, “For the Boo.”

Rees said that the bamboo references their core values. The four root stems represent swag, unity, grit and integrity. Each season, the new group adds two extra “stems” for what they want to focus on. This year’s team added “joy” and “driven.”

“Each week we do a bamboo player of the week. So it’s someone who has exemplified all of those characteristics,” Rees said. “I think that’s just a strong way to describe our overall team culture.”

Bissinger said that the team dynamics are integral to their success. She expressed how much fun they have together.

“I think this positive team environment that we’ve cultivated as a senior class and a junior class has carried into this year, so like Alex said, we’re kind of like a big friend group, so that’s been awesome,” she said.

There are four senior captains: Bissinger, Catherine Grasso, Sarah Zimmerman and Sydney Devory.

“I think captains do a lot of logistical work, but I do think the senior class as a whole is kind of the leadership group on the team,” Bissinger said.

Pins, Bissinger and Rees all said that every player is a contributing member of the team.

Rees’ role looks different this season. She is unable to play due to injury but attends practice each day and supports her team in her own way.

“You notice how people feel every day and notice a lot more facial expressions on and off the field,” Rees said. “I’m really able to see how people come in feeling each day. I think it helps me being there on the sideline too because I can see that, and I’m able to talk to them.”

Rees said she thinks this group is special.

“Everyone is an awesome person individually. I feel like we have a wide variety of majors, social things people do, and clubs people are a part of,” Rees said. “You just go to practice and you can talk to a new person everyday and get a new perspective on life at W&L.”

The positive team environment has paid off on the field. In October, the Generals continued to dominate the ODAC and non-conference games. As of now, their overall record is 14-2-1.

Rounding out ODAC play, the Generals beat Averett University 12-0 for their Senior Day. 

The Generals’ took down the Eastern Mennonite Royals 9-0 in the first round of the ODAC tournament. The Generals will next face Bridgewater College at 4 p.m. on Nov. 5 in Lexington at Alston Parker Watt field.

They have goals to win a second consecutive ODAC championship and go deep into the NCAA tournament. Last year, the team’s tournament run ended at the Sweet 16 when they lost 0-2 to William Smith College. 

Pins said they want to be able to look back on the 2025 season and know they played “fearless soccer.”

“As competitive as I am, and as much as I hate losing, let’s have some fun while we’re out there,” Pins said.