Oct. 3, 2004

Box Score

PULLMAN, Wash. - The Washington State soccer team (5-3-2) lost 2-0 to No. 6 Portland (10-2-0) at Lower Soccer Field Sunday. The loss is the first for the Cougars at home this season.

"The girls deserved a better result than they got today," Head Coach Matt Potter said. "You just can't give a team like Portland second chances."

WSU held strong for 53 minutes until Pilot Natalie Budge gave Portland a 1-0 lead, heading in a cross from Michele Scifo who served the ball from the left side to Budge.

Less than four minutes later the Pilots added another goal when All-American Lindsey Huie dribbled to the Cougar goal line and passed it to NSCAA Player of the Year, Christie Sinclair who finished from eight-yards out.

The Cougars defended their home field with vigor in the first half, tying the Pilots in shots, 5-5 and creating four corner kick opportunities while Portland had none. WSU also out fouled UP 7-2 in the half.

WSU's Cailan McCutchan had a great scoring opportunity less than 10 minutes into the match. While fending off two Pilot defenders the senior took a close-range shot, forcing UP goalkeeper Cori Alexander to make her only save of the half.

Cougar goalkeeper Katie Hultin made a diving save 21 minutes into the first period to maintain the 0-0 tie when Budge hit a 16-yard rocket from the left-side of WSU's penalty box at the far-post. Hultin made two saves going into halftime.

Portland controlled much of the second half, out shooting the Cougars 8-4, scoring twice and out fouling WSU 9-3. UP created two corner kick opportunities compared to Washington State's one.

Three players were issued yellow cards in the match. WSU's Haley-Thompson Miller received a caution at the 39:10 mark while UP's Huie and Kristen Moore both received cards in the second period.

Washington State begins Pacific-10 Conference play next week, traveling to Arizona to take on the Wildcats Friday at 6 p.m., and ASU in a Sunday match at noon.