PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State Cougar soccer team (2-2-1) tied the UC Irvine Anteaters, 1-1, Thursday night at Lower Soccer Field in Pullman. WSU senior
Jenna Studer headed home the game-leading goal in the 64th minute before UCI equalized in the 71st minute and the sides played to a draw.
Cougar defender
Jenna Studer scored the Cougars' lone goal in the match, heading home a corner kick cross from sophomore
Reagan Kotschau with fewer than 30 minutes to play. Studer got a clean head to the ball, lofting it over traffic and back into the upper near post.
The goal broke a long back and forth between the Cougs and Anteaters, which saw most of the first-half play in the midfield. Wazzu and UCI played an even opening stanza with UCI possessing much of the opening quarter hour before the Cougs took control. The sides entered halftime scoreless with the Cougs creating five corner kick chances and putting up six shots compared to the 'Eaters four shots.
Studer's 64th minute goal held for fewer than 10 minutes as UC Irvine stormed back to equalize in the 71st minute behind an Emilie Castagna goal for Irvine. Milan Heisdorf played a strong, driven cross into the 6-yard box for Castagna to poke home.
The Cougars finished with 10 shots compared to the Anteaters' seven, but with just two attempts on target for Wazzu.
Nadia Cooper made two saves in the match, bringing her career total to 176 saves.
Grayson Lynch played in her 83rd career match, moving to ninth in WSU history in games played.
Washington State returns to host UC San Diego Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Lower Soccer Field for Youth Day. The Cougars and Tritons will be televised on ESPN+ with play by play from Trevor Williams.
Match Notes
- WSU ran out the same starting lineup for the first time this season
- WSU moved to 4-1-1 against UCI and 1-0-1 in Pullman
- Grayson Lynch moved to ninth in Cougar history with 83 career matches played
- WSU tied a match for the first time this season and the first time at Lower Soccer Field since tying Utah, 1-1 Oct. 22, 2023
- Alena Watts matched a career high with two shots in the match
- Jenna Studer matched a career high with two shots in the match