Naomi Clark dribbles against UC San Diego, Sept. 8, 2024
1
Washington St. WSU (3-3-2, 0-0-0)
4
Winner Georgia UGA (4-2-2, 0-0-0)
Washington St. WSU
(3-3-2, 0-0-0)
1
Final
4
Georgia UGA
(4-2-2, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Washington St. WSU 0 1 1
Georgia UGA 1 3 4

Game Recap: Soccer | | WSU Athletic Communications

Cougars Fall at Georgia, 4-1, Lewis Nets First Career Goal

ATHENS, Ga. – The Washington State Cougar soccer team (3-3-2) lost to the Georgia Bulldogs, 1-4, Sunday afternoon in Athens, Georgia. The Bulldogs scored three second-half goals to clinch the result, while WSU sophomore Nathalie Lewis scored her first career goal in the 70th minute for the Cougs.
 
In the first half, the Cougars battled the Bulldogs for 42 scoreless minutes, splitting possession, while the Cougs controlled the middle of the pitch and cut off passing lanes to force Georgia over the top. WSU's backline with Reese Tappan and Alena Watts comfortably controlled the aerial threats.
 
Late in the first half, Georgia got the opening goal when a driven cross came into the area and the Bulldogs' Aly Akers first-timed the shot into the near post for the halftime lead. Cougar senior goalkeeper Nadia Cooper made three first-half saves, including a huge kick-save in the 35th minute to keep the match scoreless, one of six saves in the match.
 
The Bulldogs returned from the break with the possession advantage and doubled their lead in the 49th minute. The Cougars pressed forward, looking for the opening goal to mount a comeback. The chance came in the 70th minute when WSU's Lewis placed her first-career goal on the ground at the far post.
 
Lewis' goal cut Georgia's lead to one with two minutes to play. The Arizona native scored from the right side of the area after making the turn to shed her defender on a lay off pass from fellow sophomore Naomi Clark. Clark, who earned her second career assist, received the ball from a header won by Reagan Kotschau, who tallied her team-best third assist of the year.
 
With Washington State trailing by one goal the Cougars pressed forward for the equalizer. As Wazzu threw numbers forward, the Bulldogs prodded for opportunities to exploit the counter attack and found the chance to put the game away with less than 10 minutes to play. WSU transfer Margie Detrizio slotted home Georgia's third goal and the Bulldogs added a fourth goal in the 87th minute to cement the win.
 
WSU's Cooper, who made her 60th career start, matched a season-high with six saves on 21 shots faced with 10 attempts on frame from UGA. Grayson Lynch played in her 86th career match and moved to tied for fourth in WSU history for matches played by a field player.
 
The Cougars return to the pitch for a trip to Logan, Utah to face No. 9 Utah State, Thursday, Sept. 19 at 3 p.m. PT (4 p.m. MT). WSU returns to Lower Soccer Field for its inaugural WCC match, Sunday, Sept. 28 against San Diego.
 
Match Notes
  • Nathalie Lewis scored her first career goal
  • Naomi Clark tallied her second career assist and second of the season
  • Reagan Kotschau tallied a team-best third assist of the season and leads WSU with five points
  • The match marked the first all-time meeting with Georgia
  • Nadia Cooper started her 60th career match
  • Cooper matched a season high with six saves on a season-high 21 shots faced
  • Grayson Lynch played in her 86th career match, tying Ali Fenter, Brianna Alger, and Bridget Rieken for 4th-most game appearances in Cougar history by a field player
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