PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State women's soccer team began its 2025 campaign, the 37th season in program history, falling to visiting Utah State, 0-1, in front of the seventh-largest crowd in WSU soccer history. The Aggies' Austin Miller delivered the second-half game-winner to spoil the evening for the 2,317 fans in attendance at Lower Soccer Field.
 
The Cougars started strong, delivering seven shots in the first half to the Aggies' three shot attempts. True freshman Becca Skinner played the full 90 minutes in her collegiate debut and nearly found the opening goal in the 30th minute with a shot that was saved over the crossbar.
 
Senior goalkeeper Keara Fitzgerald made her WSU debut, making six saves for the Cougs, the most since four-year starter Nadia Cooper made six saves last October. Fitzgerald made four of her saves in the second half, including a diving parry after a Utah State shot came through traffic and curved toward the back of the net.
 
Utah State found the game-winner in the 77th minute when Austin Miller floated a rebounded ball across goal into the left side netting. The Aggies had built pressure in the second half, outshooting Wazzu 10-4 in the final period.
 
WSU welcomed 20 new student-athletes to the roster this offseason, with seven Cougs making their debut in the starting lineup. An additional four Cougs made their WSU and collegiate debuts off the bench. Skinner led Washington State with four shots.
 
The Cougars will have a two-week respite before traveling the short distance to Moscow, Idaho to face the Vandals, Thursday, August 28 at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome.

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WASHINGTON STATE POSTGAME NOTES

• With the result, the Cougars:
  • Kicked off their 37th season in program history
  • Coach Shulenberger began his 11th season at the helm, holding a record of 106-61-29
  • Fall to Utah State for the first time in program history and move to 2-1-1 all-time against the Aggies
  • Fall to 0-1 this season, 26-8-3 in season openers, and 11-4-2 in season openers at home
  • Fall to 0-1 when wearing anthracite uniforms
  • Fall to 0-1 when tied at halftime
• The announced attendance of 2,317 fans marks the seventh-largest crowd in WSU soccer history
• Eleven Cougar student-athletes made their WSU debuts, including seven in the starting lineup
  • Keara Fitzgerald, Ava Ghoreishi, Kiera Mitchell, Audrey Shackelford, Becca Skinner, Isabelle Wright, and Jordyn Young all made their first career starts at WSU
  • Ghoreishi, Mitchell, Skinner, and Wright all played their first collegiate game
  • Maizy Kluksdal, Journey Middleborn, Ana de los Santos, and Emery Streets all made their WSU debuts off the bench
• Fitzgerald made six saves, the most by a Cougar keeper since Nadia Cooper made six saves against LMU last October