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Washington Makes Second Straight Elite Eight Trip After 2-0 Win

by gohuskies.com
May 6, 2021

CARY, N.C. – The #7 Washington Huskies advanced to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year, using a dominant second half to beat the Missouri State Bears 2-0. Washington got goals from Lucas Meek and Nick Scardina to pull away and seal the victory.

This is Washington's third trip to the Elite Eight in program history and the second year in a row they have made at least the quarterfinals. Washington has also advanced to the quarterfinals in 2013 and 2019. This is also the first time in program history that Washington has won multiple postseason games in back-to-back years.

Washington had its chances early but relied on a strong defense and great play from Sam Fowler throughout the first half. The Huskies picked their spots, with a number of dangerous balls from Charlie Ostrem coming just a touch away from the opening goal.

The Huskies finally broke through in the 65th minute, just a few minutes after another strong save from Fowler on Missouri State's first corner of the game. That broke open the floodgates, as Washington controlled the ball for the vast majority of the final 25 minutes to advance.

 SCORING
  • 65' | Just two minutes after coming on, Imanol Rosales fed Kalani Kossa-Rienzi down the right wing to give the freshman a clear path for a cross. Kossa-Rienzi's looping ball worked into the middle of the box, where Meek skied for it and headed it in for the lead.
  • 79' | Christian Soto headed a bouncing ball forward to Gabe Threadgold, giving the redshirt freshman plenty of room to run. Threadgold's initial shot was saved but bounced right to the middle of the box, where Scardina rushed in and pushed it into the open net.

 

 NOTES
  • Kossa-Rienzi is the first true freshman to earn a postseason primary assist since Blake Bodily in 2017.
  • Meek now has four points in five career postseason games.
  • Scardina has scored three goals in his last four games.
  • Fowler now has three postseason shutouts in his career, the most in Washington history.

 

 UP NEXT
Washington will face the winner of UCF-Pittsburgh on Monday, May 10 at 10:00 am PT.

Make sure to follow the Huskies on social media at @UW_MSoccer.

  

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