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Second half surge

by wsucougars.com
Oct 3, 2021

In Case You Missed It
BOULDER, Colo. – A second half surge by Washington State (9-1-1, 3-0-0) lifted the Cougars to a 2-0 win over host Colorado (6-4-1, 1-1-1) Sunday afternoon at Prentup Field in Boulder, Colo. After a battle in the first half the Cougs seized control of the day out of the break, turning a long-ball clearance out of the back into a full length counter to break the tie. Having been on the verge of a break through on multiple occasions, Elyse Bennett finally got the goal she deserved when the fifth-year striker turned a long-ball clearance out of the back into a breakaway, outracing the Buffs' defense into the box before sliding her shot far post past. While Bennett won the foot race it was freshman Nadia Cooper who got credit for literally kicking things off as the first-year netminder cleared a ball from the top of her own box to midfield where it bound over the top of a pair of Colorado defenders and into the open field. From there it was all Bennett as she reclaimed her spot at the top of the season scoring list for the Cougs with her seventh strike. With the lead in hand it was only a matter of time before the Cougs would strike again, this time turning a Colorado goal kick into a quick counter to put the game away Just into the game, midfielder Elaily Hernandez-Repreza won the ball in the air for the Cougs and sent it back into the offensive third to the feet of Alyssa Gray who had timed off the line perfectly to free herself for the scoring chance. Gray would take a cutback touch before sliding the ball to the back post, catching the Colorado keeper on the wrong foot to notch her fourth goal of the season and double the Cougs lead.
The two goals would be more than enough for WSU as once again Cooper and her defenders were up to the task whenever tested by the Buffs' attack. The first-year keeper even showed off her fearless attitude, punching away a Colorado shot while lunging full speed into the post. Cooper finished her day with a season-high five saves as she extended her freshman record shutout streak to 495:00 minutes.

Stat of the Match
The Cougs posted a record-setting sixth-straight shutout having not conceded a goal in 549:49 minutes, the second longest streak in program history.

The Moments That Made The Match

Things You Need To Know

  • The Cougs remained a perfect 6-0-0 on the road in 2021, all by shutout, as WSU has outscored its opponents 14-0 in the six contests.
  • WSU won its third-straight against the Buffs and second-straight in Boulder, both by shutout.
    • The Cougs swept the Rocky Mountain road trip for the first time since 2015.
  • Defensively the Cougs set a program record with their sixth-straight shutout. Overall WSU has not relinquished a goal in 549:49 minutes, second longest streak in program history (record: 557:11 minutes in 2013) 
    • WSU has outscored its opponents 29-3 on the year.
  • Freshman Nadia Cooper remained perfect in goal picking up her fifth win and fourth solo shutout in her fifth career start. In seven career appearances Cooper has yet to concede a goal in 495:00 minutes (record: 512:11 by Gurveen Clair (8-23-13 to 9-15-13)).
    • Recorded her first career assist, the game-winner to Bennett.
  • 5th year Elyse Bennett scored her team-best 7th goal and 2nd Pac-12 goal.
    • Her 23rd career goal moved her into a tie for 6th all-time.
    • The game-winner was her first of the season and 7th of her career (tied for 7th all-time in program history).
  • Sophomore Alyssa Gray netted her 4th goal of the season and first since the Cougs' 3-0 win over Kansas Sept. 12.
  • The Cougs scored multiple goals for the eighth time in 11 contests.
    • Eight different WSU players have scored game-winners on the year.
  • The Cougs come home to face No. 7 Stanford, Thursday, Oct. 7 at Lower Soccer Field. The game can be seen on the Pac-12 Network and is scheduled for a 5 p.m. kickoff.

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