Weaver waves goodbye with historic game

WSU wins second game of the week; Morgan Weaver scores all six goals

Senior+Forward+Morgan+Weaver+looks+to+the+stands+during+her+last+home+game%2C+later+scoring+all+4+of+WSUs+goals+for+the+game+on+Sunday+afternoon+at+the+Lower+Soccer+Field.

Timothy Fairbanks-Clouser

Senior Forward Morgan Weaver looks to the stands during her last home game, later scoring all 4 of WSU’s goals for the game on Sunday afternoon at the Lower Soccer Field.

JACLYN SEIFERT, Evergreen reporter

Six WSU soccer seniors had their numbers painted crimson and white behind the goal to celebrate senior day against the University of Colorado in honor of their last regular home game of the season Sunday afternoon. The Cougars won 4-1 on the Lower Soccer Field.

“I knew coming into this game we were going to win,” senior forward Morgan Weaver said. “I just had a good feeling about my team and the energy we brought.”

The team recognized their seniors before the game. They gave each a bouquet of flowers alongside their friends and family. Between the six of them, they collected over 42 wins and two NCAA attempts including a sweet-sixteen run in 2017 during their last four years.

WSU (12-5-1, 5-4-1) has not beat Colorado (11-6-2, 3-5-2) since 2015. During the match, all six seniors saw playing time. The coaching staff made nine substitutions and allowed 20 players to see the field. Four WSU players call Colorado their home.

Weaver did not waste any time as she walked off the field with four goals and 12 shot attempts. This was the first time that any WSU player scored four goals in one game since Kim Lynass in 1992.

Weaver moved her overall season record to 11 goals scored this season and 39 for her career at Washington State.

She said her advice to her younger teammates, who will carry on the tradition of playing on the Lower Soccer Field, is to never give up on their dreams and to just have fun.

She scored her first goal just three minutes into the game. After junior defender Brianna Alger attempted to cross the ball to graduate student midfielder Averie Collins, Weaver was there for the rebound to make the score 1-0.

Weaver recently scored two goals against the University of Utah on Thursday night after not scoring in her last 10 appearances on the field. The Cougars celebrated Halloween with a 4-1 win over the Utes.

“She’s starting to get warm at the right time, that’s scary,” said head coach Todd Shulenberger. “Credit to her … for scoring six goals in two games against two very good teams.”

In the 47th minute, Weaver found the ball at her foot after the Colorado defense could not get a clearance. The goal was assisted by freshman defender Bridget Rieken.

Shot after shot, Weaver scored her hat-trick in the 55th minute, heading the ball into the back of the net after a cross from junior forward Makamae Gomera-Stevens. This made the score 3-0.

Just two minutes later, Weaver would go down in WSU soccer history alongside Kynass for her fourth goal of the day. Collins slipped Weaver the ball for a breakaway that she finished with one-touch.

Despite four goals scored on the Buffs, midfielder Taylor Kornieck broke the Cougar shutout after scoring on a breakaway to make the score 4-1.

Graduate student goalkeeper Ella Dederick, who was also recognized on senior day, said she is grateful for everything that has supported her journey.

“This whole season has been perseverance, and you have got to work hard and work for what you want,” Dederick said. “It’s okay. You’re going to fail, but you just got to get back up and keep working and perfecting your craft.”

Washington State will close its regular season in the Boeing Apple Cup series at 7 p.m. on Friday at Husky Stadium in Seattle. The game can be viewed on the Pac-12 Networks.

“I am just going to take everything in. I am not going to take any team for granted. UW is a great team. We’re a great team so I am really excited for the game on Friday,” Dederick said.