WSU Cougars soccer starts season 4-0

PULLMAN — After the first two weeks of the soccer season, the Washington State University (WSU) soccer team, currently ranked 23 in the country, are off to a perfect start.

After a solid 2-0 start in week one, WSU headed down to Portland to take on the Pilots. After a defensive battle, WSU pulled out the 1-0 victory.

This was the first time in program history that WSU has defeated the Pilots.

Goalkeeper Nadia Cooper came up clutch for the Cougars on the day, totaling 10 saves, which matches her single-game career high.

As the game was a defensive battle, it did not necessarily play into the hands of the Cougars. They had less than 40% possession of the ball in the game, forcing them to focus on their defensive shape, and counterattack when they gain possession of the ball.

Cooper had her work cut out for her early, making big time saves within the first 15 minutes of the game to keep the score even. Her job did not get easier in the late stages of the game, making seven second half saves, including a save with less than a minute left to seal the victory.

The lone goal for WSU came in the 48th minute, just after halftime. Fifth-year senior Bridget Rieken scored the goal to put WSU in front. Her header goal was her seventh career collegiate goal.

This was the first shutout of the season for WSU. With the shutout, it brings Cooper’s career total to six, good for a tie for fifth-most in WSU history.

On Sunday, August 27, WSU started their eight-game home stand with a decisive 3-1 victory over Weber State.

WSU out shot Weber State 22-6 to get their three goals on the day. Cooper only had to make one save in the game, whereas the Weber State goalie made three saves.

The first goal of the game came in the 22nd minute. The goal was scored by Margie Detirzio, her second of the season.

There would be no other real action in the first half of the game, and WSU led 1-0 heading into halftime.

Just after the break Weber State would equalize in the 49th minute to tie the game at one, however, the tie did not last 20 minutes, as Rajnah Reed scored her first career collegiate goal, which proved to be the game winner in the game.

WSU would get one more insurance goal in the 76th minute from Naomi Clark, her third of the season.

This is the first time since the 2019 season that WSU has started a season 4-0.

The next time that WSU takes the field is Thursday, August 31, as they host the San Diego State Aztecs. Kick off is set for 7 p.m. at The Lower Soccer Field, NE Colorado St, Pullman, WA 99163