Studer Scores Game-Winner in Pac-12 Opener

Corvallis, Ore. – The Washington State women's soccer team (7-1-1) opened Pac-12 Conference play with a 1-0 victory over Oregon State in Corvallis, Ore., Friday evening. Fifth-year senior Sydney Studer scored the game-winning goal in the 71st minute and the Cougars picked up their seventh-straight win of the season.
 
In a physical, scoreless match through 70 minutes, Studer found the game's lone goal, redirecting a cross from junior Alyssa Gray off the right side. Gray played a dangerous, floating ball into the 6-yard box where Studer flicked it on, just out of the reach of the Oregon State goalkeeper, and into the far back post.

The goal was Studer's third of the season and the second game-winning goal of her WSU career. Gray was credited with her third assist of the season, tied for second-most on the team. Wazzu beat OSU for the fifth-straight season.

The win gave WSU Head Coach Todd Shulenberger his 88th career win at the helm of the Cougar program, tying a school record for the most coaching wins all-time, previously set by 9-year head coach Matt Potter.
 
Entering the second half, Oregon State pressed forward, forcing the Washington State backline to make several key clearances. Sophomore goalkeeper Nadia Cooper tallied two saves in the contest, while senior centerbacks Mykiaa Minniss and Bridget Rieken limited the Beavers to 10 shots, with just two on target.
 
The Cougs adjusted to OSU's tactics and began to shift momentum back into WSU's favor. With a flurry of shots and corner kicks, WSU pressed for the game-winning goal, which came about 10 minutes later, courtesy of Studer. In total, WSU took 21 total shots and put eight shots on frame. The Cougs also took seven corner kicks to the Beavers' four.
 
WSU has won its first match of Pac-12 play for the second year in a row, and has not lost a conference opener since 2017 versus No. 2 Stanford. Coach Shulenberger holds a 5-2-1 record in Pac-12 season debuts.
 
Washington State returns to Pullman to host its Pac-12 home opening-match Thursday, Sept. 29 against Colorado.  The match is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. with coverage on the Pac-12 Network. WSU will host Utah Sunday, Oct. 2 to usher in the new month.
 
Things You Need to Know

• Sydney Studer scored her third goal of the season and her fifth goal as a Cougar…in her collegiate career, Studer has netted 16 goals, including four game-winners
• Alyssa Gray earned her third assist of the season, tied for second-most on the team…it was Grays' fifth career assist
• Head Coach Todd Shulenberger recorded the 88th win of his career, tying the WSU all-time wins record set over 9 seasons by former head coach Matt Potter
• Mykiaa Minniss started her 82nd career game…Minniss is 5th all-time in starts by a WSU field player
• Minniss also moved into a tie for 6th in all-time career matches played at WSU, excluding GKs
• Goalkeeper Nadia Cooper earned the 17th win of her career (8th all-time), moving her one win shy from tying for 6th most in program history
• Cooper also earned her 10th career shutout…moving her into a tie for 8th-most shutouts in Cougar history