PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State women's soccer team (2-0-0) defeated the Idaho Vandals (1-1-0), 3-1, Monday in front of a home-opener crowd of 1,232 people at Lower Soccer Field, the third-largest crowd in WSU history.

“We got out of the gate strong,” WSU Head Coach Todd Shulenberger said. “Credit to Idaho for disrupting our rhythm a bit, but we had the momentum early on and that helped. It was a great environment. We love this college town and the support here.”

All four goals in the match came in the first half. WSU's opening goal was an Idaho own goal after Kailiana Johnson crossed a ball into the box from the right side, which was deflected off the head of Idaho's Kayla Watanabe and into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Kaitlyn Johnson tallied the Cougars' second goal after receiving a cross from sophomore Kelsee Crenshaw in the 28th minute. Crenshaw played a ball in from the right touchline, which Johnson collected, turned, and fired into the upper right corner of the outstretched Idaho goalkeeper. The goal was Johnson's first of the season and the first-career assist for Crenshaw.

The Cougars would add to their lead in the 33rd minute after Tia Gavin subbed into the match. The freshman's first touch on the ball was a low, rolling cross into the six-yard box that redshirt-senior Beau Bremer tapped in to give WSU a 3-0 lead. The assist was Gavin's first of her collegiate career, and Bremer's first goal of the season.

Four minutes later, Idaho cut into the Cougars' lead as the Vandals' Kayleigh Frederick headed home a free kick from Clara Gomez. The cross came in from the right side and Frederick connected on the left side of the box to slot it home.

The match, which was rescheduled after poor air quality postponed the event from Sunday night, was physical, with the referee handing out a pair of yellow cards and combined 28 fouls. Idaho's Reagan Quigley earned a booking in the 35th minute after going in for a hard challenge on WSU's Chelsea Harkins. Another Vandal earned a yellow in the second half when Kavita Battan went in for a rough tackle at midfield.

WSU dominated the stat sheet, with 20 shots to Idaho's seven, while the Cougars earned eight corners to the Vandals' three. Redshirt-freshman goalkeeper Ella Dederick picked up her second win of the season, facing just two shots on goal in the match.

The Cougars will travel to Boise, Idaho, Sunday, Aug. 30 to face the Boise State Broncos at noon (PT).

COUGAR NOTES

The crowd of 1,232 Monday night was the third-largest crowd in WSU history…the Cougars are 4-1-2 with an attendance above 1,000…freshman Maddy Haro made her collegiate debut for Washington State…sophomore Kelsee Crenshaw and freshman Tia Gavin recorded the first assists of their careers…WSU improved to 11-1-0 all-time against Idaho, having won the last 11 matchups…the Cougars improve to 23-9-4 all-time in the month of August…with the victory, WSU extends its current streak when leading at halftime to 28 matches, one shy of the school record… WSU hasn't lost at home when leading at halftime since Sept. 16, 1989 against Central Washington.