# #

Not meant to be

by wsucougars.com
Nov 19, 2021

In Case You Missed It
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – On a cold day in Michigan, Washington State's (14-3-4) season came to an end in the second round of the NCAA Tournament falling to 3-seed Tennessee (20-2-0), 2-0, Friday afternoon at U-M Soccer Stadium. A magical run to the College Cup was not in the cards for the Cougs as little went their way against the Vols who cashed in a pair of early chances to come away with the win. An early breakaway by super senior Elyse Bennett was an early sign of things to come for the Cougs as the all-conference forward broke loose on a long run only to be denied the opening goal by a kick save from Lindsey Romig in goal for Tennessee. The Cougs would miss another shot just over the bar moments later, a miss that would come back to bite them when the Vols broke through themselves in the 24' with the first goal of the contest from Jordan Fusco. Again, the Cougs pressed the attack only to have a shot to the near post by Margie Detrizio deflect off Romig's hand and off the post for another near miss. Just five minutes later the Cougs found themselves staring at their first multi-goal deficit of the season when a missed clearance on a Vols' cross found the foot of Taylor Huff in front of goal for the easy finish.
Down two goals the Cougs made an immediate switch to push even more players forward out of the halftime break. The move looked to pay off immediately as the pressure opened up the Vols defense for Grayson Lynch to fire off a cross goal shot that appeared headed for paydirt. Once again, the game of inches came into play as the ball glanced off the far post keeping the Cougs' scoreless. As the Cougs continued to send waves of players forward, the monumental task would get even harder when Sydney Studer, the Cougs' all-conference midfielder, was sent off in the 64' after being issued her second yellow card of the match. Despite everything stacking up against them the Cougs continued their attack forcing the action. The Cougs again looked to have a goal in hand in the 78' off a chance from the corner but the header from Bennett rang off the crossbar and back into play. That chance by Bennett would be the final big opportunity of the day for the Cougs as the clock ticked down on the match and WSU's season.

Stat of the Match
The Cougs outshot the Vols 13-to-8 in the second half but could not convert a bevy of chances into a goal on the day.

The Moments That Made The Match

Things You Need To Know

  • The Cougs run in the NCAA Tournament came to an end with the loss to the Vols.
    • The loss was the first for the Cougs away from home in 2021 falling to 9-1-1 on the year. The loss snapped a four match-win streak and an eight-match unbeaten streak for WSU.
    • The loss was the first all-time against the Vols falling to 1-1-2 including 0-1-1 in NCAA Tournament play.
    • The Cougs Tournament record fell to 9-12-4 all-time.
  • WSU outshot the Vols 17-to-16 on the day, but were shutout for just the third time on the year. The Cougs forced six saves and had three more hit the woodwork in the contest.
  • The defense finished allowing just 13 total goals - a goals against average of 0.59 the second best all-time average in program history
    • Tennessee became just the the fifth team to score multiple goals against the Cougs on the year.
  • Freshman Nadia Cooper ended her season with seven saves and two goals against in the match. 
  • 5th year Elyse Bennett led the way with six shots, one on goal, while hitting the cross bar on another.
  • The Cougs season record finishes 14-3-4 - tying for the second-most wins in program history.

Related News & Videos