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Cougs Run Roughshod Over EWU

by wsucougars.com
Aug 28, 2021

In Case You Missed It
PULLMAN, Wash. – Led by their sophomore striker Alyssa Gray, Washington State (1-0-1) came away with a dominant, 4-0, win over regional rival Eastern Washington (0-3-0) Saturday night at Lower Soccer Field in front of 2,243 Coug fans.Putting to rest the questions about their finishing from a week prior, the Cougs exploded for three first half goals in the span of just just seven minutes to put the game to rest before the first half horn had a chance to sound. After being denied early despite a barrage of shots, the Cougs finally broke through for their first goal of the night in the 28' minute when Gray, who had entered the game just minutes prior, cleaned up a frantic fight in front of goal for the first leg of her first-career brace. Gray was able to pounce on a rebound off the Eagles' keeper who initially turned away a shot from sophomore Margie Detrizio after the young striker had herself pounced on a loose ball in front of goal on a blocked shot off the foot of Grayson Lynch. The Gray goal breathed new life into the Cougs' offense as the youth took over, ramping up the pressure ten-fold over an already frenetic pace set early in the game. Just minutes after the initial goal found the back of the net, the Cougs would double up the offense on a brilliant strike by sophomore Jayla Land as the California native needed just two minutes on the pitch to make an impact, scoring her first career goal into the upper-90 after forcing a turnover just outside the Eagles' 18. Moments later it was Gray again putting the finishing touches on her first half flourish, one-timing a strike into the lower left corner of the goal off a restart from midfield spurred on by a foul she had drawn against the Eagles' defense. From just inside her own half, senior Elaily Hernandez-Repreza bombed a perfect ball to the top of the penalty area to the awaiting head of sophomore Marin Whieldon who quickly flicked it on into the box to Gray who had worked her way free for the scoring opportunity. Despite taking a three-goal advantage into the break the Cougs would keep the pressure on out of the lockerroom, scoring a fourth insurance goal five minutes into the new half off the head of super-senior Elyse Bennett. The Cougs' leading scorer from a season ago would open her scoring tally for the new year in the 50' on a well placed redirected header to the near post off a cross from Gray. Gray found herself on the end of a well-played ball up the left sideline from junior Enzi Broussard who had outmuscled a pair of Eagles' defenders to create the scoring chance.
In addition to the offense finding their stride the Cougs' defense continued its stellar play to begin the new year holding EWU without a shot for the first 70 minutes of the contest while giving up just three total chances on the night. Super-senior Marissa Zucchetto earned the win as the Cougars' starter finishing 45 minutes of play without facing a single shot. Freshman Nadia Cooper came into the game in relief of Zucchetto at halftime and saw three Eagles' shots run harmlessly wide over the final 20 minutes of action.

Stat of the Match
The Cougs scored four goals in a game for the first time since netting four against Eastern Washington a season ago inside the IPF.

The Moments That Made The Match

Things You Need To Know

  • Washington State moved to 7-0-0 all-time over Eastern Washington scoring four goals for the second consecutive season. WSU has outscored the Eagles 30-4 all-time.
  • WSU played 27 players on the night with freshmen Nadia Cooper, Macey Formanek, and Brae Cole along with transfer Isabella Weaver and junior Megan Sullivan made their Cougar debuts.
  • Alyssa Gray became the first Coug with five+ points in a match since all-american Morgan Weaver posted eight against Colorado Nov. 3, 2019.
  • Gray posted her first career brace, the first Coug brace since senior Elyse Bennett scored twice against Utah Feb. 28, 2021. The assist was Gray's first career helper.
  • Jayla Land scored her first career goal.
  • Elyse Bennett scored her first goal of the season and 17th career strike.
  • Sydney Pulver played her 79th career game moving into a tie for 8th all-time on the Cougs games played list.

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