Oct. 6, 2000

Box Score

PULLMAN, Wash. - The Cougars were dealt their first home loss in today's Pacific-10 Conference opener with California. The number eight Bears defeated WSU 2-1.

In the first half the Cougars gave up a goal early to the league's leading scorer Laura Schott, her 15th of the season. Kim Stocklmeir touched the ball over the top of the defense and Schott finished.

The Cougars played even with the Bears for the remainder of the half, outshooting them 10-9.

In the second half the Cougars only got off two shots, but senior Deka DeWitt (Auburn, Wash.) capitalized on her opportunity scoring her eighth goal of the season to tie the game up at one. Freshman Jenna Wirtz (Westlake Village, Calif.), in her first college appearance after sitting out the beginning of the season with an injury, dished the ball to DeWitt from the right corner.

It was Schott again who came up with the game-winner in the 72nd minute off a pass from Brittany Kirk. The goal was her 16th.

Sara Leibowitz (Simi Valley, Calif.), in her second career start, made eight saves in goal. The loss was her first, putting her at 2-1 on the season.

"I thought we played well in the first half," head coach Dan Tobias said, "but the things that we talked about correcting at halftime, we didn't do in the second half. I think that's the disappointing thing."