Leadership continues to pay dividends as Washington State (5-0-2) finished their non-conference schedule undefeated.

The Cougars defeated the Gonzaga Bulldogs (3-4-0) and Idaho Vandals (0-0-7) in the final weekend before the start of Pac-12 play.

In front of a record crowd of 1,441 at Gonzaga on Friday, the Cougars, for the second game in a row, allowed a goal in the first half. However, the firepower the team possesses allowed them to close the deficit before halftime.

The equalizer came in the 23^rd minute when senior Jocelyn Jeffers headed in a cross from freshman Jordan Branch. The goal moved Jeffers into a tie for eighth on the Cougar all-time goal list with 18.

The game went back and forth from there. Both sides had chances to capture the winning goal, but neither capitalized. The game went into overtime tied at 1-1.

In the first overtime period, junior Kourtney Guetlein’s cross found sophomore Kailiana Johnson who headed the ball into the back of the net. The goal was the deciding factor in the 2-1 victory over regional rival Gonzaga.

“I saw the ball go out wide and I saw a run that I could make. I was just hoping Kourtney (Guetlein) would get something on it and she sure enough did,” Johnson said in an interview with Wsucourgars.com. “The ball went right over the defender marking me and I headed it in on the near post.”

Guetlein has seen limited minutes coming off an injury that has sidelined her most of the season.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” Guetlein said after getting the game-winning assist. “It’s been a long time, but it’s the best feeling ever to start getting back in the lineup, playing my game.”

The Cougs played well in a tough environment when their backs were against the wall. This determination and focus has been key to the successful non-conference schedule.

“This one was a little more dramatic; I thought in the second half we pounded them with chance after chance but their goalkeeper was phenomenal,” Head Coach Steve Nugent said.  “But in the end we got the result. This is a tough place to play, Gonzaga is a good team and they protect their home turf very well.”

The Cougars took down the winless Idaho Vandals Sunday by a score of 1-0. Redshirt junior Beau Bremer scored the lone goal.

Washington State will take on Oregon State in Corvallis, riding a 13 game unbeaten streak, on Friday Sept. 26. The match will kick off at 4 p.m. and be televised on Pac-12 Networks.