The Washington State Cougars split their road trip to the Bay Area, defeating No. 9 California and falling to No. 3 Stanford.

The road trip’s positive result came in Berkley, where freshman Chelsea Harkins scored her first career goal to put the Cougs (7-1-2, 2-1-0, Pac-12) up 1-0.

Junior Cara Wagner booted a ball off the crossbar that found the leg of Harkins in stride. Harkins slotted the ball in the net; after that California (9-3-0, 1-2-0 Pac-12) had no answer.

“It is an awesome feeling. It was a team goal so that makes it even better,” Harkins said. “I was able to finish it off. An awesome ball was played to Cara (Wagner) who rocketed a shot off the crossbar. I was there and got a kneecap on it, it was definitely a team goal.”

Washington State’s defense was again stout as they shut out the No. 9 team in the country.

“The girls fought through some really tough conditions and give credit to California they are a really good team,” Head Coach Steve Nugent said. “We took control and started to make our own opportunities. I am proud, we played a lot of players. I think it was 17 or 18 and I am happy when we can get that type of team effort.”

Coming off defeating the No. 9 team in the nation the Cougars knew they had a taller task at hand, two days later in Palo Alto. Nugent’s message was clear; enjoy this win for an hour, and then focus on Stanford (10-0-2, 2-0-1 Pac-12).

Just before kickoff, senior Nicole Setterlund and junior Kourtney Guetlin were scratched from the starting lineup.

“I would have liked to have Nicole Setterlund and Kourtney Guetlein, but we will get back to practice, Tuesday and get ready for Arizona,” Nugent said.

Senior goalkeeper Gurveen Clair was under siege all game. The other ten Cougar players on the field did all they could to try and silence Stanford crowd.

In the last ten minutes of the match the Cougars were denied their upset bid as senior Chioma Ubogagu controlled the ball in the box, got passed a Cougar defender and slotted the ball in the net passed a sprawled out Clair. That would prove to be the game winner as the Cardinal went on to win 1-0.

Washington State had few chances to score. One of the few opportunities came in the 71st minute when junior Mesa Owsley hit the crossbar from distance off a set piece.

“I am really proud of the way we performed on the road trip,” Nugent said. “That said, we came here for six points this weekend and we are a bit disappointed.”

Washington State’s next match will be in Pullman against the Arizona Wildcats on Friday at 2 p.m. This match will be the first home match since August 31st.

Reporting by Ian Korzeniecki