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Two Clean for the Cougs

by wsucougars.com
Sep 16, 2021

In Case You Missed It
DENVER – Continuing its perfect run on the road to start 2021, Washington State (5-1-1) took care of business against a game Denver (5-3-0) side, dispatching the Pioneers, 2-0, Thursday night at Denver Soccer Stadium. The Cougs used their stifling defense and timely attacking to put together their third road shutout in as many games jumping on the Pioneers from the outset and never relenting. After an evenly matched fight early on the Cougs grabbed control of the match at the quarter-hour mark behind a brilliant counter attack from WSU's most veteran players. Building their attack from just inside their own half, fifth-year seniors Sydney Pulver and Elyse Bennett made good on a two-woman game through the center of the pitch despite facing superior numbers behind the ball from the Pioneers. After receiving the initial pass on the right side from Pulver, Bennett took on a trio of defenders at the edge of the box before playing the ball back to Pulver at the top of the 18 who then drilled her shot high past the outstretched dive of Denver's Nerea Arrazola for the opening strike. The hookup was the 14th different scoring combo for the Cougs on the year and put WSU ahead heading into the break after 45 minutes.
Looking for insurance the Cougs would find their second goal in the 66' thanks to the constant pressure applied by their attacking front. Forcing a turnover in the offensive midfield after a misplaced clearance by the Pioneers, the Cougs quickly turned the mistake into gold when junior MacKenzie Frimpong-Ellertson found classmate Enzi Broussard unmarked on a run in the middle of the box for the easy finish. Broussard had worked her way back onside after making an initial run down the right side that came up empty. Spotting her teammate alone on a run at the top of the 18, Frimpong-Ellertson tapped a slotted pass to the feet of Broussard allowing the Dallas native to take one step before knocking the shot into the back of the net, essentially putting the game away for the Cougs.
All the success was made possible once again thanks to the crimson wall that was the Cougs' defense. Despite facing one of their toughest tests to date against a Pioneer offense averaging over three goals a game the Cougars' defense held tight once again to earn the team's fifth shutout of the season. The night was not without its hurdles, however, as Denver found a few openings to pressure the WSU defense only to find itself turned away by the Cougs' freshman 'keeper, Nadia Cooper, each time they got to goal. The shutout marked the third of the year for the Cougs while away from Pullman as they will look to close out non-conference play in similar fashion Sunday at Northern Colorado.

Stat of the Match
The Cougs recorded a season-high three saves on three shots on goal to ensure their third shutout on the road in 2021.

The Moments That Made The Match

Things You Need To Know

  • The Cougs improved to 3-0-0 on the road in 2021 having outscored their competition 8-0.
  • The win moved WSU ahead in the all-time series with the Pioneers as the Cougs improved to 2-1-1 all-time with their first win in Denver.
  • The Cougs scored multiple goals for the fifth time in seven contests.
    • Five different WSU players have scored game-winners on the year.
  • Freshman Nadia Cooper became the first true freshman in program history to record a shutout in her first two career starts.
    • Cooper has been a part of four of the Cougs' five shutouts on the year recording two shared shutouts and two solo shutouts.
    • She recorded a season-high three saves for WSU in the win.
  • 5th year Sydney Pulver recorded her second career game-winning goal and first since 2018. The goal was her second of the season.
    • The goal in the 26' was the first in the run of play for Pulver since her freshman season when she scored against Georgia Southern in 2017. 
    • Pulver played in her 84th career contest moving within one of second place all-time in matches played at WSU. It was her 77th career start moving into sole possession of fifth place all-time at WSU.
  • 5th year Elyse Bennett improved her team-best points lead to 11 with her third assist of the season (second most on the team).
  • Junior Enzi Broussard recorded her second goal in the last three games and took over sole possession of second on the team with nine total points.
  • Junior MacKenzie Frimpong-Ellertson (the Cougs' leader in assists in spring 2021) recorded her first assist of the season. It was her sixth career assist.

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