WSU Soccer knocks off No. 13 Santa Clara 1-0 Thursday night

The Washington State women’s soccer team earned their first victory of the 2016 season Thursday night with a 1-0 defeat of the No. 13 Santa Clara Broncos.

In front of over 1,500 fans at the Lower Soccer Field, the Cougars bounced back nicely after dropping the season opener against BYU 2-1 last Friday.

Sophomore Alysha Overland - a transfer from Community Colleges of Spokane - provided the lone goal in the 38th minute for her first Cougar score. Senior Kaitlyn Johnson rocketed a shot from the right side of the box that hit off the crossbar and landed right in front of Overland. Overland tried a header that hit the crossbar itself, but got her own rebound and headed it in for the score.

The Broncos were only able to register three shots on goal during the game, but goalkeeper Ella Dederick kept the ball out of the net with some nice saves, including this one in the 83rd minute.

The win gives Washington State some momentum as they continue their non-conference schedule before Pac-12 play begins. The Cougars travel up north to take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Sunday in Spokane before coming home next Friday as North Dakota State will be in town.