WSU’s first half attack too much for Dukes

Cougars score six goals in first half, most since 2002 against Montana

Junior+defender+Brianna+Alger+dribbles+up+the+field+after+taking+the+ball+from+James+Madison+University%E2%80%99s+forward+Aug.+31+at+the+Lower+Soccer+Field.

ABIGAIL LINNENKOHL | THE DAILY EVERGREEN

Junior defender Brianna Alger dribbles up the field after taking the ball from James Madison University’s forward Aug. 31 at the Lower Soccer Field.

RYAN ROOT, Evergreen reporter

The No. 23 WSU soccer team defeated the James Madison Dukes 6-3 to finish off their home-opening weekend Sunday afternoon at the Lower Soccer Field in Pullman, Washington.

The Cougars scored six goals in the first half. The most in a first half since 2002 when WSU scored seven against Montana.

“We learned a valuable lesson by still winning the game and that’s going to motivate us, hopefully, for next Thursday,” head coach Todd Shulenberger said.

In 21 seconds, junior forward Makamae Gomera-Stevens scored to give the Cougars (3-0-0, 0-0-0) a 1-0 lead over the Dukes (1-2-0, 0-0-0).

“I wasn’t expecting it, for sure,” Gomera-Stevens said.

Graduate student midfielder Averie Collins scored two goals and earned an assist with a goal by freshman forward MacKenzie Frimpong-Ellertson This marks the second game in a row where Collins and Frimpong-Ellertson have scored.

“I think we’re starting to find the chemistry up top,” Collins said.

Redshirt senior midfielder Shayna Whieldon scored her first collegiate goal of her career off a penalty kick.

WSU allowed two goals in the second half. However, the Dukes could not match the Cougars’ six goals from the first half.

The Cougars will be on the road for their next game against Gonzaga at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Spokane, Washington.