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Gomera-Stevens Golden Again

by wsucougars.com
Mar 27, 2021

In Case You Missed It
BOULDER, Colo. – Getting back into Pac-12 Conference play for the first time in nearly a month, the Cougars (5-1-1, 1-0-1) nabbed their first conference victory of the season with a 1-0, OT, win on the road at Colorado (6-4-1, 2-3-1) Saturday afternoon. Facing off against a streaking Buffaloes team with a redhot goalkeeper, the Cougars would need an extra eight minutes of action to finally crack the code of the Colorado defense before finally breaking the scoreless draw thanks again to the individual brilliance of senior Makamae Gomera-Stevens. After a long punt from keeper Marissa Zucchetto and a flick on from Sydney Pulver, the future Houston Dash midfielder went to work as she powered through a challenge in the midfield while getting a touch past the last defender before beating Colorado's Dani Hansen on a tough angle to the far side netting for the game-winner. Once again, it was the left foot of Gomera-Stevens that did the damage as the senior had scored going up an over on another impossible angle the week before. This time however, Gomera-Stevens went low to beat Hansen, who up until the game-winner had been an impenetrable wall despite what the Cougs had thrown at her. 
Prior to the winner, the Cougs had put together a handful of chances only to see Hansen come up with seven saves, including a kick save on a near post strike by freshman Alyssa Gray to rob the young forward of the go-ahead goal in the 70'. While Hansen stopped the Cougs from scoring, Zucchetto was up to the task in her own right as the senior tallied a season-high five saves including a pair late in regulation that gave WSU the chance to win. With Zucchetto and the defense holding strong, the offense was able to keep attacking until finally breaking through in extra time for the winner.

Stat of the Match
The Cougs put eight shots on frame before finally notching the lone goal of the match in overtime.

The Moments That Made The Match

Things You Need To Know

  • Washington State improved to 5-1-1 overall and 1-0-1 in Pac-12 play.
  • The game marked their second OT game in as many conference matchups on the year.
    • First OT win since Nov. 29, 2019 (1-0, OT at #5 South Carolina)
  • WSU won for the second-straight season over Colorado and first time on the road at Boulder since 2015.
  • The win was the Cougs' second road victory of the season but the first of the year out of the state of Washington.
  • Makamae Gomera-Stevens scored for the third-time on the year and for the second-straight game.
    • The two goals in as many games marks the first time in her career she has scored in back-to-back games.
    • The game-winner was her second of the year and eighth of her career, tied for fourth all-time in WSU history.
    • The golden goal was her second career OT winner, first since Oct. 6, 2019 at #20 Cal.
  • The Cougs picked up their 4th shutout of the season, with senior Marissa Zucchetto posting a season-high five saves.
  • The Cougars remain on the road with a trip to UCLA, April 2, to face the top of the standings Bruins on the Pac-12 Network.

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