In Case You Missed It
PULLMAN – And just like that the nation's longest non-conference winning streak was no more as the #13 ranked Washington State Cougars (4-1-0) were stunned at home by Michigan (5-2-0), 2-1, Friday night at Lower Soccer Field. The loss marked the first time in over two years in non-conference play WSU tasted defeat and the first time since 2016 the Cougars suffered a loss at home to a non-Pac-12 opponent. For the Cougs, the night could not have started worse as a pair of mistakes in the opening minutes of the contest resulted in Michigan goals as the Wolverines capitalized and found themselves leading 2-0 just 3:13 into the contest. From that point on the Cougars were forced to try to run down Michigan, only to be denied in their comeback bid. Senior star
Morgan Weaver put the Cougars within striking distance in the 71' when she flicked in a header on the near post off a long throw in from sophomore
Elaily Hernandez-Repreza. The goal tied Weaver for the team lead with four tallies in five matches, however, the strike would prove to be too little too late as WSU could not find the equalizer over the game's final 20 minutes. WSU was not without their chances throughout the match as the Cougars fired off 23 shots with 13 on frame only to see Michigan's Hillary Beall come up with a career-high 12 saves. The junior keeper entered the contest with 10 total saves in the six matches on the year, more than doubling her season tally in 90 minutes in Pullman. While most of the Cougars' chances failed to really pressure the Michigan keeper, freshman
Grayson Lynch did come up with a pair of big chances for her side midway through the second half, the last of which curled towards the far post forcing the diving save from Beall. Throughout the night the Cougars were just a touch off from finding their way, just missing out on capitalizing on their own chances in front of goal
Stat of the Match
The Cougars outshot the Wolverines 23-12 on the night including 13-4 in shots on goal.
The Moments That Made The Match
Things You Need To Know
- The Cougars saw the nation's longest non-conference win streak come to an end as Michigan snapped an 11-match winning streak for WSU. The loss was the first for the Cougars in 16 matches in non-conference play and their first home loss in non-conference action since falling to BYU on Aug. 19, 2016.
- The matchup was the first between WSU and Michigan.
- Morgan Weaver scored her fourth goal of the year and 32nd of her career.
- Elaily Hernandez-Repreza tallied her second assist of the season and third of her career on the late goal.
- WSU will look to rebound from its first loss of the year Sunday, Sept. 15 when the Cougars host LMU at 1 p.m. The Lions fell 3-1 to Texas Tech Friday night in Pullman in the first match of the Cougar Classic.
