One phrase encapsulated the Washington State University women’s soccer weekend: Record-breaking.

The WSU women’s soccer team (5-0-2) played to a 2-2 draw in a non-conference road matchup against the Oklahoma State Cowgirls (3-2-3) Sunday.

Senior Micaela Castain continued her hot streak by tallying her second consecutive two-goal game. Castain now leads the Cougars with eight goals and 19 points.

“Micaela Castain, Kayla Johnson and Rachael Doyle were all big for us today,” Head Coach Keidane McAlpine said. “We certainly had plenty of opportunities to win the match.”

WSU cashed in on a 12th minute goal to get things started on Sunday. The goal was Castain’s first of the game, and it originated off of a free kick from 30 yards out.

Oklahoma State scored six minutes later with their first official shot on goal.

In the closing minutes of the first half, the Cougars and Cowgirls traded goals.

The Cowgirls’ score came in the 43rd minute and gave the team a 2-1 advantage. However, the lead was short-lived when, 48 seconds later, the Cougars answered with a goal by Castain. Her score came on a slightly broken play when Castain and the defender both fell down after Castain attempted to spin away from the defense.

Castain had a quicker recovery than the Cowgirl defender and crushed a nine-yard shot past the goalkeeper to tie the game. Unfortunately, the Cougars couldn’t break through for a third goal, and the game ended in a draw.

The Cougars remain undefeated on the 2013 season, and Coach McAlpine has not lost a non-conference game against an unranked opponent while at WSU.

Castain moved up on the Cougars all-time goal list Sunday. She now sits in a tie for third place with Kiersten Dallstream (2006-09) after tallying her 30th career goal.

Castain and the Cougars had their hand in re-writing WSU’s record book earlier in the weekend against UNLV.

WSU defeated the UNLV Rebels 2-0 on their home turf Friday. The Cougars outshot UNLV 10-6 and didn’t allow a shot on goal until the 20th minute of the first half.

With the win, the Cougars extended their season record to 5-0-1. Their undefeated record through the first six games constitutes the best start in school history for the team.

The Cougar defense earned yet another shutout, extending their streak to five games. The defensive mark for WSU also set a new school record.

The defense is a pivotal part of the Cougars’ scheme, McAlpine said.

“Our backline has been solid,” McAlpine said. “That’s where our experience is. That’s what we expect from them every time we come out. To get numbers behind the ball, block shots and clean up anything we happen to let through.”

The Cougars needed more than defense to win, and Castain helped make good on two goals.

The game was Castain’s seventh career multi-goal game. She also surpassed Rachel Rodrick and Katrina Stroh on WSU’s all-time points list. Castain now ranks fourth for the Cougars in career points with 62.

The first goal for the Cougars came in the 31st minute as the first half was winding down. Castain was able to successfully head in a crossing pass from junior Korynn Blanksma set up by Johnson.

 “We’re trying to get to the flank and have the ball cross in,” Castain said. “The first person in the box tries to get to the near post, so I was just trying to get to the near post. I guess I was just in the right spot at the right time.”

In the 49th minute, Castain found herself in the right spot once again. The Cougars worked outside-in again on a cross from senior Delaney Zalud, set up by junior Jocelyn Jeffers. Castain snuck her way toward the near post and gave the Cougars a sizeable advantage to start the second half.

The outside-in approach by WSU’s offense played a big role in their offensive success.

“Today UNLV dropped a lot of numbers behind the ball, and it wasn’t on always to try to go directly behind the line,” McAlpine said. “We needed to build it up in front, and that’s exactly what we did on both goals. We took our time, played through the midfield, changed the point, and got out to the flank.”

While Castain’s two goals were the product of the offensive strategy, many players filled important roles offensively and defensively for the Cougars.

“Gurveen was good in goal,” Castain said. “She’s really talkative on the field and that helps out a lot. Rachael Doyle was also really good back there. She helps our team out. And Nicole Setterlund – she’s in the middle a lot – and she’s really the core of our team.”

The Cougars prepare to head to California next weekend for a game at Cal State Fullerton Friday at 6 p.m.