In Case You Missed It
CHARLOTTESVILLE – Two days after earning the biggest win in program history, Washington State (15-6-1) made good on their upset of the No. 1 seed in the region, continuing their historic run by beating West Virginia (12-8-2), 3-0, to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time. In a game closer than the final score showed it to be, the Cougs scratched and clawed their way past a tough Mountaineers squad which was no stranger to the Sweet 16 having advanced to the third round of the tournament in four of the last five seasons. With the fight ensuing it was the tenacity of
Makamae Gomera-Stevens that put her Cougs out in front early just 14 minutes into the evening's contest. Pushing forward in waves, Gomera-Stevens forced a mistake by the Mountaineers' backline, beating the defenders to a ball at the top of the 18 that was initially meant as a pass back to their keeper. By just a half step, Gomera-Stevens was able to get to the ball first, firing a shot into the upper netting while falling down for her second goal of the postseason.
Holding the lead and facing a relentless attack by the Mountaineers who were in search of the equalizer, the Cougs' defenders held their line against an array of runs, clearing away crosses and jumping in front of shots to keep the advantage on the board intact. In a total team effort, the defense came up big when needed asÂ
Elaily Hernandez-Repreza made a huge defensive save on the line to help ensure the clean-sheet for the Cougs. With her backline holding tight,
Ella Dederick picked up whatever made its way through as the super-senior came up with a handful of big-time plays while recording five saves in the shutout.
With history awaiting, senior
Morgan Weaver put the game out of reach midway through the second half as she cemented her legacy with a pair of insurance goals. With the pace quickening and the Mountaineers pressing, the Cougs used West Virginia's aggressiveness against them, turning a defensive hold into a quick counter. After stopping a push forward,
Kelis Barton intuitively knew what to do as the sophomore played a ball over the top knowing Weaver would be on the move. Turning on the burners, Weaver outpaced her defender up the right flank, angling into the box before blasting a low shot to the far post, doubling WSU's advantage. Not done yet, Weaver would strike for a second time seven minutes later as she attempted to get her classmate,
Katie Jones, a goal. Playing the ball into Jones at the top of the 18, Weaver watched as Jones slipped while trying to make the turn towards goal. Despite losing her footing, Jones had the presence of mind to play the ball back to Weaver who quickly turned the near miss into gold with another low blast to the far post, finishing in nearly an identical spot to her first goal.Â
With three goals in hand and a defense standing tall, it was only a matter of watching the minutes and seconds tick towards history as the Cougs danced on.
Fact of the Match
The Cougs earned a record 15th win on the year while advancing to the fourth round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.
The Moments That Made The Match
Things You Need To Know
- Washington State earned its ninth shutout of the season and second of the postseason with the win over West Virginia.
- WSU improved to 7-10-4 all-time in the NCAA Tournament and 1-0-1 all-time against the Mountaineers.
- Makamae Gomera-Stevens continued her play as the most dangerous player on the pitch for the Cougs in the postseason as the third-year midfielder notched her second game-winning goal in the NCAA Tournament. She leads the team with four game-winners on the year. She has totaled five goals.
- Morgan Weaver recorded a multi-goal game for the ninth time in her career, the second-most in program history. The star forward recorded her 13th and career-best 14th goal of the season in the game while running her career total to 42, second all-time.
- Sophomore Kelis Barton and senior Katy Jones each recorded their first career assists to set up the Weaver goals.
- Ella Dederick extended her program record with her 52nd career win in goal while picking up her 28th career shutout.
- The Cougars will head to Columbia, South Carolina Friday, Nov. 29 to take on No. 2 seed South Carolina for the right to advance to the College Cup in San Jose, Calif. Game time has yet to be set.
