#17 WASHINGTON STATE (3-0-0)
at Gonzaga (3-1-0)
| Thr., Sept. 5 | 7 p.m. | Luger Field
Watch Live | WCC Network
Live Statistics | Gonzaga Live Stats
OPENING XI
> Washington State enters the day 3-0-0 on the year after posting wins over Montana (6-0) and JMU (6-3) last weekend at Lower Soccer Field.
> With the win over JMU the Cougs are 14-0-1 since their last non-conference loss on Aug. 27, 2017.
> WSU will face renew its regional rivalry with Gonzaga Thursday after a two-year hiatus. WSU has dominated all-time 23-1-1, however the last match went to the Zags, 1-0, in Spokane.
> All-time WSU has posted 299 (299-228-59) victories with #300 on the horizon.
> The 12 goals over the weekend were the most scored in back-to-back contests since a 13-goal weekend, Sept. 22-24, 2000 when WSU defeated Gonzaga (4-1) and Portland State (9-0) at Lower Soccer Field.
> The Cougars enter the week ranked #17 United Soccer Coaches Poll. In the two other major polls WSU sits at #10 by TopDrawerSoccer.com and #20 by SoccerAmerica.
> WSU enters the week the #1 ranked scoring offense in the country at 5.33 goals per game. The 16 goals in three games is the second most all-time to start a season (WSU scored 17 in three games to start the 1991 season, they would score 18 in four games)
> Nine different Cougars have scored on the year with
Morgan Weaver and
Averie Collins leading the way with three each.
>
Morgan Weaver, named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List to start the year, is fourth all-time in program history in scoring with 31 goals and fifth in points with 70.
>
Brianna Alger is 3rd in the nation in assists per game at 1.33 (4 total). WSU is #1 overall in assists per contest at 5.67 (17 total).
>
Ella Dederick earned her 40th career victory Friday, four shy of tying the all-time record of 44 held by Gurveen Clair (2011-14)
LAST TIME OUT
In their first two home games of the new season the Cougars dominated the pitch outscoring Montana and JMU a combined 12-3 to improve to 3-0-0 on the year. The six goals against Montana were the most scored in a game since 2012 a feat they would repeat two days later against JMU. Even more impressive, the Cougs scored their six against the Dukes in the first half, the most in a single half since scoring seven against Montana in 2002. Seven different Cougs got into the action over the weekend while
Morgan Weaver,
MacKenzie Frimpong-Ellertson, and
Averie Collins each netted a pair of strikes.
NON-CONFERENCE DOMINANCE
In their evolution into one of the elite teams in the country, the Cougars have proven to be nearly unbeatable outside of the Pac-12. In 2018, WSU went a perfect 7-0 in non-conference play en route to a 10-0 start. In all, the Cougars have not dropped a non-conference match since Aug. 27, 2017 at Santa Clara. WSU has not dropped a home non-conference contest since Aug. 19, 2016 to BYU.
With the wins over the weekend the Cougs are 14-0-1 since their last non-conference loss.
THE GREATEST SHOW ON "TURF"
In just three games the 2019 Cougars have proven to have one of the most potent offenses in the country as WSU enters the week #1 in scoring offense at 5.33 goals per game. Using a wide ranging attack, the Cougars have had nine different players hit the back of the net to score their 16 goals (one own goal). The Cougs have scored in myriad of ways scoring five off of corners, four in open play, three on crosses, and three from the spot.
With all the goals being scored it's no surprise the Cougs are #1 in assists per game at 5.66 (17 total) led by
Brianna Alger's four, all of which have come off of corners.
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