#19 MINNESOTA (0-0-0) vs. WASHINGTON STATE (0-0-0)
7:00 p.m. | Friday | Aug. 18, 2017
Pullman, Wash. | Lower Soccer Field (2,000)
ABOUT THE MATCHUP
The 2017 starts Friday as the Cougs host #19 Minnesota at Lower Soccer Field. The Gophers, fresh off a Big 10 title, mark the second-straight ranked team to come to Pullman to start a season after WSU opened 2016 against #16 BYU. The Cougs and the Gophers have met three times prior, the last time coming in 2002 in Missoula, Mont. where WSU took home its first win in the series, 2-0, on the neutral field. Minnesota won the lone meeting in Pullman in 1998, defeating the Cougs, 4-2, at Lower Soccer Field.
LAST TIME OUT
A pair of goals book-ended a dominating effort for the Cougars Wednesday afternoon at Lower Soccer Field as WSU put away Colorado State, 2-0, in exhibition play. An early goal set the tone for the Cougs who dominated possession and controlled the field before a late goal sealed the deal. WSU just missed converting a handful of other chances as a pair of shots found the woodwork.
Even when the Rams broke throughÂ
Ella Dederick and laterÂ
Emma Dahline turned their attempts away. The two veteran keepers, along with their backline, grabbed a clean sheet while allowing just four shots.
ABOUT THE GOPHERS
Minnesota played in two preseason games in 2017 and finished 2-0 with victories over Creighton and Kansas State. The Gophers shutout both opponents, and held the opposing teams to a combined eight shots while having 44 shots of their own. The Gophers enter the new season looking to replace their top scorer and starting goalkeeper from their 2016 championship roster.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
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