Cougars Battle at No. 2 Stanford, Fall 0-2

Box Score STANFORD, Calif. – The Washington State Cougar soccer team (2-2) lost to No. 2 Stanford, 0-2, Sunday afternoon at Cagan Stadium in Stanford, Calif. The Cougars flooded Stanford’s goal with shots and possession, but were unable to find the back of the net after a pair of first-half Stanford goals.
 
WSU controlled possession throughout the match, particularly in the second half, creating 12 corner kick opportunities against the nationally-ranked Cardinal. The Cougs could not find the final strike to the back of the net, despite 11 shots with five chances on frame.
 
The Cougars nearly took an early lead when senior Grayson Lynch struck a full volley off the right post, leaving the Stanford defense flat-footed, in the fourth minute. The shot was one of several first-half looks that left the Cougs wanting for a goal.
 
Shortly after Lynch’s chance, a Cardinal went down in WSU’s box on a challenge from Alena Watts, leading to an extended 5-minute video review with Stanford ultimately awarded the penalty in the fifth minute. Nadia Cooper stepped between the sticks and calmly saved the Cardinal penalty shot attempt, the first penalty save of her career to keep the game level.
 
Fewer than two minutes later, Stanford’s Mia Bhuta, the player who missed the penalty kick, got redemption with the game-winning goal. Bhuta finished a dangerous cross into the six-yard box at the near post and past a diving Nadia Cooper.
 
WSU continued to press numbers forward after the early deficit, with sophomore Megan Santa Cruz having a crack on goal from 30 yards out that forced a Stanford save. Freshman Kendal Campbell, making her first career start, dribbled into a dangerous area inside the six-yard box, but was unable to find an angle for the shot.
 
In the 32nd minute, Stanford’s Andrea Kitahata put the Cardinal up 2-0, striking the shot into the far-post side netting. The goal would prove to be enough, as the Cougs relentlessly attacked the Cardinal’s half of the field for the remainder of the match.
 
Rajanah Reed found herself with time for a touch and shot just before halftime, hitting a shot right down the middle of goal from eight yards out to force the Stanford save. WSU dominated set piece opportunities with 13 corner kicks, including 10 in the second half.
 
Julianna Duckett had a pair of chances for the Cougs, along with Santa…