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Cougar Comeback Falls Short at #14 Stanford

by wsucougars.com
Oct 9, 2022

STANFORD, Calif. – No. 14 Stanford University defeated the No. 21 Washington State women's soccer team, 2-1,  Sunday afternoon at Cagan Field in Stanford, Calif. The Cardinal opened the scoring in the 28th minute, before WSU equalized in the 41st minute. Stanford scored the game-winning goal in the 76th minute.
 
WSU's goalkeeper Nadia Cooper came up with a season-high eight saves, including several huge first-half saves before the opening goal. In the 5th minute, Cooper was quickly off her line to prevent a Cardinal opportunity. Stanford found the back of the net in the 28th minute off a direct free kick; Jasmine Aikey picked out the top left corner and finished past a diving Cooper.
 
The Cougars continued with a high press, forcing the Cardinal to concede a corner kick in the 41st minute. Alyssa Gray served a ball to the back post where Mykiaa Minniss headed the ball back into the goal mouth. In a scramble, a Stanford defender redirected the ball in the net and the Cougs' had the equalizing goal.
 
Returning for the second half, play opened up as both sides looked for the leading goal. WSU endured an early bout of pressure from the Cardinal with Cooper again coming up with a huge save, one of three in the half. WSU was credited with four shots in the period, while Stanford took 10 second-half shots.
 
With 15 minutes to play, a Stanford throughball found Samantha Williams, who shook her defender and finished from a tight angle into the far post.
 
Washington State returns to action next Friday, Oct. 14, playing host to Oregon for a single-match weekend. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Lower Soccer Field.
 
Things You Need to Know

  • WSU earned its third own-goal of the season, courtesy of the Stanford back line
  • Nadia Cooper made a season-high eight saves in the match
  • Mykiaa Minniss started her 86th career game, moving her into sole possession of 3rd all-time in starts by a WSU field player…Minniss also moved into a tie for 3rd in all-time career matches played at WSU, excluding GKs (86)

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