No. 16 WSU hosts University of Montana in Pullman in the first of two games this weekend before conference play begins. The Cougars will face the Grizzlies on Friday night before playing against California Polytechnic State University on Sunday.

WSU Head Coach Todd Shulenberger said that the weekend will provide a physical challenge but the team is prepared.

“We are fit for sure, the grind will be in full effect, we will have to manage some stuff you know minutes and players.” Shulenberger said.

WSU (5-0) previously took on Palouse rival University of Idaho (2-4-0) and stayed undefeated for the season by downing the visiting Vandals 3-0.

Goals from senior midfielder Maegan O’Neill and junior and freshman forwards Morgan Weaver and Hailey Smith resulted from the offensive onslaught the Cougs unleashed. The hosts outshot Idaho 22 to 4.

O’Neill scored her first goal of the season, while Smith opened her collegiate account with her first career goal. Weaver notched her third this season, taking her career tally to 18. O’Neill’s opening goal was also assisted by a corner from senior defender Maddy Haro, who is now tied for first in the nation for assists this season.

The Cougs have also stayed defensively sound so far this season, having only conceded two goals. WSU suffered a scare in the 73rd minute against Idaho when redshirt senior goalkeeper Ella Dederick left the game with a leg injury following a collision with a Vandal forward.

Dederick made way for redshirt junior Rachel Thompson, who made her Cougar debut and kept the clean sheet and assisted Smith’s goal. Thompson’s assist was the first recorded by a goalkeeper since Dederick in 2015.

Montana (1-4-2) last took on University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and fell 2-0. Two goals in rapid succession early in the second half stunned the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies also played the University of Wyoming and drew their hosts after a long stalemate that ended 0-0 after double overtime.

WSU’s second opponent of the weekend, the Cal Poly Mustangs, will face No. 1 Stanford University on Thursday night before visiting Pullman on Sunday. The Mustangs (0-4-3) previously visited Seattle University and scored a late goal to sneak a draw past the Redhawks.

The Cougs will kick off against Montana 7 p.m. Friday night and will play Cal Poly 11 a.m. Sunday Both games this weekend will be played at the Lower Soccer Field in Pullman and can be seen on the WSU Live Stream.