This Wednesday, the Cougs start conference play in the WCC against Seattle University. It is the 19th all-time matchup between the two teams as the Cougs lead the series 16-2-0. The last time these two teams faced off in Pullman the Cougs took the win 2-1.
“It’s always a tight game right? I mean, they tied UW this year, they do a great job. They got a great staff. It’s always gonna be a competitive game,” head coach Todd Shulenberger said
The Cougars are coming off a 2-3-3 non-conference record capped off witha 1-0 loss against the University of Montana. Seattle U is playing their first game in the WCC as they are in their first year in the conference. They are coming off of a 3-3 tie against Cal-Poly. The Redhawks have not recorded a loss yet this season ending conference play with a record of 4-0-4.
WSU is hoping to find a spark on offense as coming into this game the Cougars have only scored five total goals. Last time the Cougars were at home against NDSU, The Cougs recorded their first and only multi goal game of the year recording two goals. A penalty scored by Maggie Mace in the 29th minute and a goal by Abbigial Siddall in the 83rd minute.
Defensively the Cougars are hoping to stay consistent.Shulenberger builds his teams off of defense. The back line is highlighted by the senior captain duo of Peyton Price and Maggie Mace, with help from junior Alena Watts, graduate Brooke Brown and freshmen Aaya McLyn and Maizy Kluksdal.
“We’re not leaking goals. I think one goal was earned against us this year to be fair. Utah state. Outside of that, look back at the tape. We got to correct a couple little things there, but we’re still doing a great job defensively,” Shulenberger said.
The Cougars have lost senior captain defender Jenna Studer to a knee injury on Sep. 14against UC Irvine ending her season and college career. Studer was selected to the 2025 all-WCC preseason team. Starting goalkeeper Keara Fitzgerald went down against NDSU with an injury ending her season and college career. Todd Shuelberger has elected to go with Zora Standifer in goal.
“She’s a competitor and she’s got the gloves now and she’ll lead us through the starting tomorrow night” Shulenberger said.
The Cougs are looking to start conference play with a win and find a spark from the offense. WSU will be playing at 7 pm Wednesday Sep. 25 on the Lower Soccer Field.
