PULLMAN, Wash. – Gabi Stoian had a goal and assist to lead Arizona to a 2-0 victory over Washington State in a Pac-12 Conference contest Thursday evening in front of 903 fans at Lower Soccer Field.
 
Arizona (6-5-1, 1-3-0 Pac-12) controlled play early, keeping the pressure on the Washington State (5-6-1, 0-4-0 Pac-12) defense as the first 20 minutes were played mainly on the Cougar half of the field. Following a WSU foul deep in its own territory, Stoian sent a free kick into the box where Paige Crouch headed the ball past goalkeeper Ella Dederick for the 1-0 lead. Crouch had no defender in front of her and redirected the ball into the net from close range for her fifth goal of the season.
 
Less than five minutes later, Stoian doubled the lead as she collected the ball in the middle of the field, dribbled roughly 20 yards before launching a low drive inside the near post for her third goal of the season.
 
The goal capped a strong first 20 minutes for Arizona, which outshot WSU 7-0 in that span, though the half would end with the Wildcats holding an 8-6 edge in shots.
 
The second half began with more determination from WSU. The Cougars pushed more and pressured the Wildcat defense. In the 67th minute WSU forward Alysha Overland moved along the left flank, turned along the end line where her cross trickled in front of the net but no Cougar could connect. A minute later Kailiana Johnson unleashed a powerful shot from distance that was deflected away by Wildcat goalkeeper Lainey Burdett.
 
For the game the Cougars outshot Arizona, 18-13, and held an 8-5 edge in corner kicks. Burdett made eight saves on the night, though most were not threatening, while Dederick registered four saves.
 
The Cougars are next in action Sunday when they host Arizona State at 11 a.m. at Lower Soccer Field. The match will be televised by the Pac-12 Network.
 
--wsucougars.com--