Bring on the Lady Vols
WASHINGTON STATE (14-2-4)
vs (3) Tennessee (19-0-2) | Fri. Nov. 19 | 2 p.m. ET | U-M Soccer Stadium
Watch Live | BTN+
Live Statistics | StatBroadcast
OPENING XI
> For the second time in postseason play the Cougs and the Lady Vols meet on neutral ground in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. In 2017 the Cougs advanced to their first sweet 16 with a PK win over Tennessee in Gainesville after playing to a 2-2 draw.
> The Cougs advanced out of the first round for the fourth-straight postseason. WSU is now 9-11-4 in the NCAA Tournament all-time and is 7-4-1 in under Shulenberger.
> In two of the previous three postseasons for the super seniors the Cougs' have won their second round game beating Tennessee in 2017 and 1-seed Virginia in 2019.
> WSU defeated Montana, 3-0, to open NCAA Tournament play last week at home. Sophomore Marin Whieldon picked up her first career goal scoring the game-winner in the 37'.
> The Cougs have posted 14 wins on the year tying for the second most in program history with the record of 16 wins coming from the 2019 College Cup team.
> Freshman Nadia Cooper became the first Coug in program history to be named the Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year as well as Freshman of the Year.
> Five Cougs earned All-Pac-12 honors in Nadia Cooper (1st), Elyse Bennett (1st), Mykiaa Minniss (1st), Sydney Studer (3rd), Bridget Rieken (3rd).
> WSU's offense has been historic scoring 45 goals which ranks tied for 3rd all-time in program history alongside the 2019 squad. The 45 goals are the most scored in the modern Pac-10/12 era beginning in 1995. 11th different Cougs have scored on the year with 10 different players netting a game-winner.
> Defensively the Cougs are 8th in the country at 0.52 goals against average after giving up just 11 goals in 20 games (one of which was an own goal).
> Sydney Studer has been the difference maker for the Cougs in the final weeks netting a goal against UCLA while netting a goal in each of the last three games (tying a program record). Studer leads the team with 6 assists to go with 2 goals.
> The Cougs finished the regular season 3rd in the Pac-12 posting a 7-1-3 record in conference play. The seven wins tied for the most in program history while the .773 win percentage was the highest in the history of Cougar soccer in conference action.
COUGS VS LADY VOLS
For the fourth time in their histories and the second time in NCAA play the Cougs and the Lady Vols will meet on the pitch. The Cougs hold a 1-0-2 all-time record against Tennessee including downing the Lady Vols in a shootout in the 2017 NCAA Tournament second round to advance to the program's first sweet 16 after a 2-2 draw. The Cougs super seniors were freshmen in 2017 and will look to bookend their historic careers by getting past the Lady Vols once again.
Tennessee, the winners of the SEC Tournament, won its opening round of the tournament 3-0 over Lipscomb in Knoxville. The #6 ranked and 3-seeded Lady Vols were became the winningest team in their program's history with their 19th win of the year. Taylor Huff led the way in the win with a goal and an assist while Lindsey Romig picked up the team's 12th shutout of the season.
WIN AND ADVANCE
From here on out its win and advance for the Cougs who did just that in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 13, defeating Montana 3-0 to move on in their road to the College Cup.
Led by the 5th year seniors the Cougs have been stellar in the tournament, advancing out of the first round four times including a sweet 16 run in 2017 and a College Cup semifinal run in 2019 (both program firsts).In 2019 the Cougs defeated the 1 & 2-seed in their regional to earn their spot in the College Cup. The Cougs are in the NCAA Tournament for the 14th time in program history. All-time the Cougs are 9-11-4 in the NCAA Tournament and are 7-4-1 in four appearances under head coach Todd Shulenberger.
ROAD WARRIORS
Making a point to travel well and make a statement away from home, the Cougars have taken their talents on the road this season with an impressive 9-0-1 mark away from Lower Soccer Field. The Cougs have earned seven of their shutouts on the road. Impressively, the Cougs have outscored their opponents 24-6 in hostile venues.
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