WSU soccer (5-6-5) is hosting the Pepperdine Waves on Nov. 1.
The Cougars are returning to the Palouse after a road trip to Portland, where they finished with a win and a loss. The win came against Oregon State. Redshirt-freshman Kiera Mitchell was able to score on a free-kick in the 83rd minute to give the Cougs a 1-0 win. The loss came against Portland, where the Cougars fell 1-0.
This game will honor the eight seniors on the team. Redshirt-senior Zora Standifer, Keara Fiztgerald, Jordyn Young, redshirt-fifth year Jenna Studer, grad students Brooke Brown, Abigail Siddall and seniors Maggie Mace and Peyton Price.
The seniors have been a vital part of the Cougar defense, but have been unlucky with injuries. Fitzgerald started the year in goal, but suffered an injury against North Dakota State University on Sept. 18, ending her season. Stander had taken control in goal and allowed six goals and made 24 saves. Studer suffered a knee injury against UC Irvine on Sep. 14, ending her season as well. Studer was named a team captain and to the all-WCC preseason first team. Price, who was also named a team captain, suffered an injury against Saint Mary’s on Oct. 8th, ending her season.
Brown has been able to contribute to the backline. Mace, the only healthy captain, has been key for the defense, the back of the net off of a penalty kick against NDSU.
Without these seniors, the backline has been able to stay consistent, allowing eight goals in conference play and two shutouts. Mitchell, junior Alena Watts, and three freshmen, Ashle Reese, Aaya Mclyn and Maizy Kluksdal, have been able to help the back line as well.
On the offense, seniors have been able to contribute as well. Young leads the team in goals with four. She also has an assist. Meanwhile, Siddall has two goals.
The offense has been able to see success with and without the two seniors. Sophomore Audrey Shackelford has been able to score two goals and gain three assists. Mitchell has scored three goals and picked up an assist.
Freshmen Journey Middleborn and Isabelle Wright have made big contributions as well. Middleborn has two goals on the season, and Wright has a team-leading four assists on the season. Ava Ghoreshi had one of the most important goals of the season, as she was able to find the back of the net against a ranked Georgia.
Pepperdine is sitting first place in the West Coast Conference. They are hoping to bounce back after a 1-0 loss against Saint Mary’s. The Waves have a strong offense, seeing 14 players with at least one goal. Julia Quinonez leads the way with nine goals and three assists. As a team, the Waves have been able to score 37 goals. Defensively, the Waves have allowed 20 goals in 16 games.
The Cougars take on the Waves at 7:00pm on Saturday Nov. 1 in Pullman.
