PULLMAN, Wash. – The Vandal women's soccer team fell 2-1 at Washington State on Sunday night.
Margo Schoesler scored her second game of the season while
Paula Flores posted a career-high ten saves.
Looking at the stat lines tells a completely different story than what happened on the pitch tonight. WSU dominated in the statistics, outshooting Idaho 24-1, earning 15 corner kicks to Idaho's one, and committing 19 fouls to Idaho's 13. The possession was split 57% to 43% in favor of Washington State as the Vandals held their own in the 90-minute match.
The game was physical as made apparent by the double-digits in fouls committed. Seven yellow cards were dished out tonight, with two to Idaho's Schoesler and
Hannah Alfaro-Black. The Cougar bench received two yellow cards as well.
The Cougs struck first, scoring in the 29
th minute as a scramble occurred in the penalty box off a corner kick. WSU continued to aim for a second goal, firing off nine shots on the half. Flores had a stellar performance, grabbing four of her ten total saves.
Idaho responded in the second half, finding the equalizer in the 53
rd minute. The Vandals attacked the right flank with the ball at
Annika Farley's feet. Farley sent a cross to the far side of the field where a Washington State defender failed to clear the ball with their head. Schoesler was in the right place at the right time as she was able to turn into space with the ball, get her head up, and blast her shot to the far corner of the net. The goal marked Schoesler's second goal of the season and her second straight game with a score.
In a similar fashion to the first goal, Washington State found the advantage once again off of a scrambled corner kick. The Cougars were able to overwhelm the area in front of the net and poked the ball in out of reach of Flores. Flores put up a valiant fight as the Cougars continued to be relentless in pursuit of another goal. She recorded six on the half, many of which were highlight-reel material.
Idaho finished the weekend 1-1 and improved to 2-2 overall. The Vandals return home to the P1FCU Kibbie Dome for the first time this season as they host IU Indianapolis on Thursday at 7 pm.
