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Cougs on Cruise Control

by wsucougars.com
Feb 12, 2021

Game Highlights | Coach Shulenberger Postgame | Box Score (PDF) | Boxscore

In Case You Missed It
PULLMAN, Wash. – Playing on the turf of their Indoor Facility, the Cougars (2-0-0) flew past the visiting Eagles of Eastern Washington (0-1-0), 4-1, en route to a dominant win to open their home schedule Friday night. Kicking it into high gear after conceding a penalty kick in just the 4', the Cougs made short work of their regional rivals notching a pair of goals in the opening 45 minutes and two more in the final 45 to dispatch the Eagles. Returning for the first time in nearly six months after hip surgery, sophomore Grayson Lynch showed no signs of slowing down as the speedy striker burned the Eagles backline on a break away to even the contest just three minutes after the Cougs gave up the opener to EWU. Lynch found herself free in the attacking third on a lightning fast counter by the Cougs in the midfield as freshman Marin Whieldon chipped a ball over the backline to set up the score. After peppering the Eagles goal for nearly 40 minutes, the Cougs finally broke through for what would be go down as the eventual game-winner when senior Makamae Gomera-Stevens worked her magic at the top of the box before bending a strike into the side netting for her first goal of the season.
With the lead in hand, the Cougs wasted no time tacking the first of their two insurance goals in the second half just :32 seconds into the new period when senior Elyse Bennett launched a ball on the endline across the face of the goal only to see her strike bang off the post and into the back of the net. The impossible angle from which the goal was scored shocked even the veteran striker as Bennett notched her second goal in as many games to start the year. The Cougs would cap their dominant night with a fourth goal in the 84' when the freshmen took over to complete four-goal outing. Outworking her defender and fighting free on the endline, freshman Makenna McGill looked up to spot her classmate Margie Detrizio making a free run towards the near post. With no hesitation, McGill threaded a ball to Detrizio's feet where the Chandler, Ariz. native calmly and coolly slotted home her first career goal to put the Cougs ahead by the final score of 4-1.

Stat of the Match
The Cougs dominated offensively outshooting the Eagles 25-to-4 including putting 18 shots on goal to the Eagles' 1.

Things You Need To Know

  • Washington State improved 2-0-0 on the year and 21-8-3 all-time in home openers.
  • WSU improved to 6-0-0 all-time against EWU, all at Pullman.
  • WSU played at home but away from Lower Soccer Field for the first time since 1992 when they played at Martin Stadium against Portland.
  • The Cougs recorded 25 shots for the first time since posting 27 vs Arizona State, 10/13/2019.
  • Three different Cougs recorded their first goals of the season in Grayson Lynch (2nd career), Makamae Gomera-Stevens (10th career), and Margie Detrizio (1st career).
  • Senior Makamae Gomera-Stevens picked up her 7th career game-winning goal, moving into a tie for 6th all-time in the WSU record book.
  • Senior Elyse Bennett scored for the second-straight game. She leads the team with 2 goals and 1 assist.
    • Second time in her career scoring goals in back-to-back games (last time vs USC, 10/22/2017 and at Arizona State, 10/26/2017).
  • Freshman Margie Detrizio recorded a point for the second-straight game after tallying 1 assist in the Cougars opener and 1 goal against EWU.
  • The Cougars continue their four-game homestand against Idaho, Friday, Feb. 19 at 7 pm.

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