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Bennett Nets Two in Win over Utah

by wsucougars.com
Feb 28, 2021

Coach Shulenberger Postgame | Box Score (PDF) | Boxscore

PULLMAN, Wash. – Senior Elyse Bennett scored two goals in the opening 13 minutes and the Cougar defense took it from there as No. 15 Washington State defeated Utah, 2-0, Sunday afternoon in a nonconference match at WSU's Indoor Facility.
 
With the win, WSU improves to 4-0-1 while Utah falls to 1-2-2.
 
After playing to a 0-0 draw Friday, Washington State wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard Sunday as Bennett, who had eight shots Friday, only needed one to find the back of the net against the Utes. Freshman Margie Detrizio sent a beautiful pass over the Utah defense just outside the box. Bennett took a touch and fired a left-footed shot to the upper corner for the 1-0 lead in the second minute.
 
Eleven minutes later, it was Bennett again, completing a strong buildup. Senior Makamae Gomera-Stevens possessed in the midfield and sent a long ball to a streaking Bennett up the left side. After a cutback to the middle, she played a textbook give-and-go with sophomore MacKenzie Frimpong-Ellertson, culminating with Bennett firing inside the near post for her second goal of the match and fifth of the season.
 
The teams went back and forth the rest of the half with Utah ending the first 45 minutes with a 6-3 advantage in shots, forcing Cougar goalkeeper Marissa Zucchetto into three saves.
 
In the second half, both teams had chances as Utah forward Taliana Kaufusi was dangerously close on one sequence. Her header midway through the period struck the post and after collecting the rebound, her second shot went off the crossbar and sailed over the goal.
 
For the game, Utah outshot Washington State 11-9, while the Cougars held a 5-3 advantage on corner kicks.
 
The Cougars are next in action Friday when they head to Tempe to face Arizona State at 6 p.m. PT.
 
Stat of the match
Cougars picked up their third straight shutout improving their clean sheet to 376:31, passing the 357:40 streak in 2017. The record for WSU sits at five games and 557:11 in 2013.
 
Things You Need To Know

  • Washington State improve to 4-0-1 overall
    • The game counted as a non-conference matchup between WSU and Utah
  • All-time the Cougs evened the all-time series with Utah at 8-8-2 including a 5-2-2 mark at home
  • Senior Elyse Bennett notched 2 goals
    • First multi-goal game of her career
      • First multi-goal game for the Cougs since Morgan Weaver notched two against WVU in the third round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament
    • Second game-winning goal of the year, sixth of her career
  • Freshman Margie Detrizio and sophomore MacKenzie Frimpong-Ellertson each tallied their second assists of the season
  • Senior Marissa Zucchetto posted 3 saves on 11 Utah shots
    • 3rd-straight shutout, 376:31 scoreless streak in goal
    • 22.5 career shutouts (19.5 in three seasons at Texas Tech)
  • Sophomore Sophie Dimry picked up her first career start
  • WSU won its second game of the season when being outshot (11-9)

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