MISSOULA, Mont. – The Washington State women's soccer team lost to the Montana Grizzlies, 0-1 Sunday morning at South Campus Stadium in the final game of nonconference play. The Cougars (2-3-3) held the reigning Big Sky Conference champions scoreless through halftime, before the Grizzlies broke through in the 47th minute.
 
WSU redshirt-senior goalkeeper Zora Standifer made her first career start as a Coug, making four saves in the match. Standifer made the initial save prior to Montana's game-winning goal, but the rebound spilled to a Grizzlies' attacker who finished in the goal-mouth scramble. Standifer made her first start since October 29, 2023 as a Long Beach State 49er.
 
The Carson, California native was called upon early, making her first Wazzu save in the fifth minute. WSU's defense held off the early Montana attack, including several well-timed tackles in the defensive area by Peyton Price, Alena Watts, Maggie Mace, and Kiera Mitchell. Montana's leading goalscorer and shot-taker Chloe Seelhoff was held to just two shots without either strike on target.
 
The Cougars nearly scored the opening goal in the 39th minute when Abigail Siddall ran on to a perfectly-timed through ball from Mitchell, breaking the Grizzlies' backline. Siddall found a tight angle from the left side of the 6-yard box, placing a precise strike past the 'keeper at the near post before the Montana defense slid in to clear the ball off the goal line.
 
Returning from a scoreless halftime, Montana scored the game-winner less than two minutes into the second half. Washington State had four second-half shots, finishing with eight total shots and four shots on goal. In the 55th minute, Journey Middleborn headed a direct aerial cross just wide of goal off her head. In the 73rd minute, Watts struck a low shot at the bottom left corner of the Montana goal from the top of the penalty area, but without the pace to beat the goalkeeper.
 
Moments after Watts' attempt, Siddall challenged in the area for a cross, but the Montana goalkeeper beat Siddall in the air to the dangerous, lofted ball. With the result, the Cougars fell to the Grizzlies for the first time since 2004 and the first time under Coach Todd Shulenberger's career.
 
The Cougars concluded nonconference play 2-3-3 and will begin West Coast Conference action Wednesday, September 24 at home against new WCC member Seattle U. WSU and Seattle will kick off at 7 p.m. at Lower Soccer Field with coverage on ESPN+.