PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State women’s soccer team will host South Florida, Saturday, August 15 at 6 p.m. at Lower Soccer Field. The Cougars and Bulls have never met on the soccer pitch, marking the inaugural meeting between programs on opposite coasts.
The Cougars are looking to rebound from a season-opening loss Wednesday evening, which saw the Vandals dominate the opening 10 minutes, scoring three-consecutive goals before WSU found its footing and played a scoreless 80 minutes, falling 3-0.
“There has to be a visceral response from our team,” said WSU Head Coach Chris Citowicki after the match Wednesday. “We can whine and complain, or we can come together and learn from this loss.”
Senior transfer Ashlyn Dvorak started in goal, making three saves in her Cougar debut. Dvorak was one of eight starters who transferred to the Palouse with Coach Citowicki. Alongside the former Montana standouts were returning Cougar sophomores Delanie Corcoran, Maddie Martin, and Meg Devall.
Ten true freshmen joined the Cougar program between the beginning of the spring semester and mid-June. Five freshmen made their collegiate debuts against Idaho, including Calli Holje, Kate Spangler, Isabella Amado, Raina Tifft, and Delaney Hawkins.
Earlier this month Dvorak, Lexi Lee, and Carly Whalen were named to the Preseason Pac-12 Impact List, while the Cougar program was voted to finish fifth by fellow Pac-12 Conference coaches.
The South Florida Bulls made the cross-country trip earlier this week, facing Gonzaga Wednesday night to open the season. USF conceded five goals to the Bulldogs, falling 5-1 in Spokane. WSU’s matchup with the USF marks the first half of a home-and-home series which will return to Tampa next season.
This Saturday’s match will also mark the first day of WSU Move-In with campus residence halls opening and the first day of WSU Pullman’s Week of Welcome. Surf Club soccer will be in attendance for Youth Soccer Night. A limited supply of mini foam fingers and soccer pins will be available.
Cougar soccer single-match and season tickets are on sale now at wsucougars.com. Follow WSU soccer on social media and stay up to date on Cougar news, on Instagram, X, and Facebook.