This Thursday, WSU soccer faces off against North Dakota State for just the second time in program history. The last time the Cougars matched up against the Bison was in 2016, when the Cougars won 5-0 behind then-freshman Morgan Weaver’s first-career hat trick. 

The Cougars are 1-2-3 coming off a 2-0 loss to UC Irvine, heading into their final home non-conference game against a 4-5-0 NDSU, which are coming off a 4-0 defeat against Florida Atlantic. The last time the Cougars matched up against the Bison was in 2016 when the Cougars won 5-0. 

WSU is looking to have the same type of offensive performance this time around. In their last four matches, the Cougars have netted only two goals, with one of them coming from redshirt senior Jordyn Young, which was her first as a Cougar. 

Coming into this match, the Cougars are averaging 11.3 shots per game and a 32.4 shot on goal percentage. Goalkeeper Keara Fitzgerald has 32 saves this season and has given up five goals in six matches. NDSU is averaging 1.67 goals per game and have scored 15 goals this year. The Bison’s leading point scorer is Morgan Russerman with three goals and four assists. Expect Russerman and Fitzgerald to have a battle. 

Overall, WSU is looking to fire on all cylinders and combine a good defense with a strong offensive performance this week. The game is set to kickoff on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. PT at Lower Soccer Field.