Washington State University Athletics
Washington State University
10-3-0, 3-3-0
USC
12-1-1, 5-1-0
Thriller Goes the Wrong Way as No. 2 USC Escapes No. 19 Washington State
October 13, 2018 | Soccer
The Trojans held off a late charge by the Cougars to win 3-2.
PULLMAN, Wash. – In a battle down to the last minute the No. 19 Washington State soccer team (10-3-0, 3-3-0) fell just short of the comeback against No. 2 USC (12-1-1, 5-1-0) as the Trojans held off a furious Cougar rally to escape Pullman with a 3-2 victory Saturday night. Despite an evenly played first half, the Cougars were forced into catchup mode early in the night as the Trojans jumped out front in the 38' when an ill-advised foul inside the box gifted USC a penalty kick and the first goal of the game from Leah Pruitt. The Trojans would double their lead just nine minutes into the second half after intercepting a Cougar pass in the midfield and turning it into an immediate counter opportunity that paid dividends. Despite the two-goal deficit, the Cougars continued to press the attack, answering the Trojans just one minute later with their own strike from the spot in the 55' after Morgan Weaver was taken down in the penalty box. Calmly, senior Maddy Haro stepped to the spot and buried the first goal of the game for the Cougs to bring WSU within one. Again, WSU found themselves down two in the 63' when a header found the back of the net thanks to a pinpoint cross Pruitt. The fight raged on as WSU pushed forward forcing the Trojans onto their heels and into a foul just 25 yards out in the center of the field. Once again, it was Weaver who drew the contact setting up a dangerous opportunity for Haro on the free kick. Dropping the ball in front of goal, a mad scramble resulted in freshman Molly Myers pouncing on a rebound and slotting home the goal to again cut the deficit to just one goal. Unfortunately, the Cougars would run out of time as their rally in the final minutes of the match came up short.
Stat of the Match
Three goals in the game came off of free kicks as both teams scored on penalty kicks while the Cougars converted a free kick into their second goal.
The Moments That Made The Match
HIGHLIGHT | @mollynmyers with the goal on the rebound off the @maddyharo free kick | 3-2 USC#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/OBuiyA3eBb
— WSU Cougar Soccer (@WSUCougarSoccer) October 14, 2018
55' | GOOOOAAAAALLL @morgan_weaver8 is dragged down in the box, and @maddyharo converts the PK, Cougs cut the deficit in half | 2-1 USC#GoCougs
— WSU Cougar Soccer (@WSUCougarSoccer) October 14, 2018
28' | The fancy footwork by @kapua_makamae but the woodwork stops the would-be go-ahead goal | 0-0#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/tphsUACh4t
— WSU Cougar Soccer (@WSUCougarSoccer) October 14, 2018
Things You Need To Know11' | @rmthompson06 with the scramble to keep it even | 0-0#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/pEUstsVTmT
— WSU Cougar Soccer (@WSUCougarSoccer) October 14, 2018
- The Cougs' dropped their first home match of the season.
- WSU fell for the fifth-straight to USC and fourth of five by one goal.
- Maddy Haro picked up her 11th assist of the season tying the Cougars single-season record for assists. She also added her second goal of the season and her third career goal from the penalty spot.
- Morgan Weaver has been responsible for each of the last three penalty shots for the Cougs, two of which were converted by Haro.
- Attendance: 1821
Team Stats
Leah Pruitt (8)
Penalty Kick
37:14
Tara McKeown (3)
Assisted By: Jalen Woodward
turnover in the midfield, 13 beats the defense
53:47
Maddy Haro (2)
Penalty Kick
54:15
Penelope Hocking (7)
Assisted By: Leah Pruitt
cross, 5 got free and headed far post
62:41
Molly Myers (2)
Assisted By: Maddy Haro
off the free kick, cleaned up the rebound
71:19
