Bennett Strikes But No. 6 USC Takes The Battle In Pullman

Sunday, October 22

Pullman, Wash.

12:00 PM

Washington State University

8-6-2, 3-5-0

USC

13-1-1, 7-0-1

Southern California

Washington State

October 22, 2017 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Video Recap

The freshman scored her first career goal in the loss.

By: Athletic Communications

In Case You Missed It
... The Match In 140 Words Or Less
PULLMAN, Wash. - After knocking on the door for weeks, freshman Elyse Bennett finally broke through for her first collegiate goal as the first year Coug scored in 27' to equalize the contest at Lower Soccer Field at 1-1. For the Cougars (8-6-2, 3-5-0) the goal would not be enough as No. 6 USC (13-1-1, 7-0-1) scored a pair of goals in the game's opening half including the game-winner with just four minutes to play in the half to escape the Palouse with a 2-1 victory Sunday. A battle from the opening minute, the Cougs found themselves chasing the lead just eight minutes due to a goal from USC's Leah Pruitt. Down one at the break after USC's Ashleigh Plumptre scored minutes before half, WSU came up just short of equalizing again as the two teams fought to a stalemate over the final 45 minutes of action.

The Moment's That Made The Match

Grace Hancock saves a sure goal off the line in the 4th minute. | 0-0 #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/XbX2vi8IH1
— WSU Cougar Soccer (@WSUCougarSoccer) October 22, 2017

Elyse Bennett scores her first career goal to notch the equalizer in the 27th minute, off an assist from Morgan Weaver. | 1-1 #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/J3erWrUQdz
— WSU Cougar Soccer (@WSUCougarSoccer) October 22, 2017

Grace Hancock with her second HUGE defensive save, keeping it a one-goal game. | USC 2-1 #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/vxnBCIue0t
— WSU Cougar Soccer (@WSUCougarSoccer) October 22, 2017

Cougs just miss the equalizer, Hancock takes a hard header off the corner kick. | USC 2-1 #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/Du6d60dqsc
— WSU Cougar Soccer (@WSUCougarSoccer) October 22, 2017

.@USC_WSoccer takes a 2-1 lead #Pac12Soccer

Watch: https://t.co/ZLABag9Ytt pic.twitter.com/JMHIRmA0Ky
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) October 22, 2017

Things You Need To Know

The game marked the final home game for the Cougs in 2017.
The loss dropped the Cougs to 3-3-1 against the nation's top-25.
Elyse Bennett's goal was her first of her career as she became the 11th Cougar to score a goal on the season.
Morgan Weaver assisted on the goal, her first assist since the Cougs' win over Washington last season on Nov. 3, 2016.
Grace Hancock came up with two defensive saves bringing the Cougs' total to four team saves on the year.
Attendance: 671
WSU begins a three-game road trip to end the regular season beginning at Arizona State, Thursday, Oct. 26 in Tempe, Ariz. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT streamed live courtesy of ASU. WSU defeated ASU, 2-1, in double-overtime last season in Pullman and is unbeaten against the Sun Devils in four-straight games.