Saturday Soccer Showdown with Pilots

KICKOFF NOTES
Wazzu welcomes the Portland Pilots for a Saturday evening clash on ESPN+. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. in the annual Pink Game at Lower Soccer Field in Pullman, Washington.

The Cougs and Pilots met last year in the Rose City where WSU earned its first program win over the blueblood school. Washington State and Portland have played 17 times, with the Pilots holding a 14-1-2 advantage. Under Coach Shulenberger, the Cougs have gotten two of their three all-time results against Portland, holding a 1-1-1 advantage since 2015.

Last time on the pitch the Cougs continued their home unbeaten streak with a 1-0 victory over Saint Mary’s. WSU’s Grayson Lynch scored a 5th minute goal, the fastest Coug goal of the season, as the Cougs defeated the Gaels Wednesday night. WSU controlled play for the majority of the 90 minutes, securing its fifth shutout of the season and a 5-0-2 record at Lower Soccer Field this fall.

Grayson Lynch played in her 91st career Cougar match, Wednesday night, pulling within one game of former teammate Mykiaa Minniss at third-most appearances in Coug history (excluding GKs). The sixth-year senior scored her second goal of the season and 19th career goal in the win. If Lynch plays all the remaining regular season matches, she will sit second in all-time WSU matches played with 97 behind Sydney Pulver (98).

Lynch’s 5th-minute goal marked her eighth career game-winning goal, as she moved into a 4th-place tie in Cougar history. The Colorado senior will need five more game-winners to reach a 3rd-place tie in WSU career history.

In Wednesday’s shutout win over Saint Mary’s, Nadia Cooper earned her 19th career shutout and 31st career win. A two-time WCC Defensive Player of the Week, Cooper is third in Cougar history for GK wins and fourth in WSU career shutouts.

Cooper is set to surpass 6,000 career minutes in goal during Saturday’s match. Assuming the senior starts between the sticks, she will reach the milestone in the 56th minute. Cooper is currently fourth in WSU career goalkeeping minutes.

On the horizon, the Cougars will have the mid-week Wednesday match day off before traveling north to face Gonzaga, Saturday, Oct. 19, in Spokane, Wash. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT from Luger Field with a stream on ESPN+.

Match Milestones: In the last match, Grayson Lynch…