The Cougars lost to the Broncos 2-1, with both Bronco goals coming after a controversial call on the field. 

It was in the 68th minute when the Cougars’ goalkeeper Zora Standifer jumped on a ball outside of the box, which led to a penalty and an automatic red card. Cougars head coach Todd Shulenberger challenged the call on the field, where the initial call after review was overturned with no red card on the field. After some discussion, the head referee Adrian Gonzalez then confirmed the red card, which confused the crowd and the Cougars sidelines.

The confusion led to anger from Shulenberger. His yelling gave him a yellow card, which was followed 14 minutes later to a red card ejecting him from the game. 

The Lower Soccer Field’s fans after the game stood over the tunnel where the officials went, where they handled their frustrations verbally with their calls in the game.

After the red card was issued to Standifer, the Cougars put in true-freshman goalkeeper Sidney Venier for the rest of the game. 

After Venier was put into the game, the defense fell behind the Broncos attack. A tough foul in the box was followed by a penalty scored by forward Mailin Orozco in the 74th minute tied the game for the Broncos. Only eight minutes later, the Broncos after a fastbreak up the left side sent a cross to inside where forward Leah O’Brien finished to give the Broncos their game-winning goal. 

With the second half giving all of the action, it was a stalemate in the first half. It was 0-0 with good defensive pressure from Santa Clara and goalkeeper Amaris Franco. 

Only 55 seconds into the beginning of the second half the Cougars broke the tie with a goal from forward Jordyn Young. The Cougars offense each half started aggressively, attacking defenders with pace and power. Midfielder Isabelle Wright set up the score taking a seam down the middle of the Broncos defense, side stepping the keeper setting up the goal for Young.

The Cougars physical attack is something they take pride in, making it one of the main ideas they preach in practice. 

“We’re a very aggressive team and we believe that hard work is kind of going to come with that,” Young said. 

That was the only score of the night for the Cougars, with many other attack chances being taken in by the Broncos. 

In one of the many themed nights for Cougar soccer, the team was unable to secure the win. It was Socctober in late September when the Cougars took on the Santa Clara Broncos on Saturday night. It was a part of a double-header WSU and Santa Clara had, as the Cougars’ volleyball team beat the Broncos earlier that day 3-2.

The Cougars have yet to win two games in a row this season, and their record sits at 3-4-3. They are 1-1 in conference play with the Broncos being their first loss for conference play this season. 

Defenseman Peyton Price thought that this game could have been one they had, but they will not let it stop them moving forward. 

“If the calls weren’t made tonight, it would be a very different ball game,” Price said. “I think we’re going to use this kind of to light a fire underneath us.” 

The next game the Cougars have is a road trip to the University of San Diego on Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. Both coach Shulenberger and goalkeeper Standifer will not participate in the game due to the red card.