With the Cougs only having three defenders on the roster in sixth year student Jenna Studer, sophomore Aaya McLyn and redshirt junior Meg Devall, the Cougs were in need of adding defenders onto the roster. It was announced earlier in the week that Riley Carolan would be joining the Cougs from the University of Montana, but this still only leaves four defenders on the roster. The Cougs will be welcoming three new defenders on the roster all coming from the University of Montana: sophomore Ashlyn Sandow, junior Makena Smith and sophomore Taylie Nowels.
Ashlyn Sandow
Sandow will be joining the Cougs from Boise, ID. She spent the last two seasons at Montana, and this past season she played in all 20 games and started three games for the Griz against Seattle University, Baylor and Boise State, totaling 882 minutes.
She was able to provide an assist in the first game of the season against Southern Utah, and she was a key part in a defense that was able to record 12 shutouts last season allowing a 0.64 goals-against average.
Her freshman year was similar as she was able to find an assist against Fresno State, and she was also part of a defense that only allowed 10 goals and recorded 14 shutouts. The Grizzlies also led the nation in shutout percentage with .888 and sixth in goals-against average with 0.52 goals per game.
Sandow has proven that she is a key part of a rock solid defense, and she will be an important part of the defense next season.
Makena Smith
Smith, who is from Michigan, will find her next home in Pullman after a year at Montana. In the 2025 season she played in 19 of 20 games, starting 17 of them, there were 11 times this season where she played all 90 minutes, and 110 minutes in the Big-Sky tournament.
Offensively, she was able to find the back of the net once, with the lone goals coming against MSU Billings. On the defensive end she was a vital part of the Griz defense, as the defense recorded 12 shutouts last season allowing 0.64 goals against average.
Smith will be able to make an immediate impact for the Cougs; she will be filling in on a back-line that is missing a true center-back. She has proven that she can be a game changer and will continue that.
Taylie Nowels
Nowels, the Washington native, has arrived in Pullman after two seasons at Montana. This past season Nowels played in 11 matches. Starting in five of them, she missed the final 13 games of the season due to an injury.
In her limited action she was able to help out on the defensive end, contributing to a back line that allowed a 0.64 goals-against average and had 12 shutouts.
Nowels, who is entering her junior year, will be looking to see more action, and will help contribute to a back line that is rebuilding.
