HCA: No. 7 WSU soccer finally suffers first loss of the season

On their way to a 10-0-0 start, the Washington State Cougars were playing really well while securing win after win. But soccer is a funny sport; sometimes, a team can be playing well and not generate results, while other times, a team can be trending the wrong direction, yet still racking up wins. The margins are small, so weird stuff can happen.

On Thursday, the vagaries of soccer finally caught up with the Cougs, as they suffered their first loss of the season, 3-1 at No. 20 Colorado.

After falling behind 2-0 by the 12th minute following some uncharacteristically loose defending, the Cougars put the Buffaloes under maximum pressure, firing off 25 shots. Ten of those shots were on goal, and three more shots hit the frame of the goal, only to stay out of the net. Sometimes, the use of the word “unlucky” is wholly appropriate.

For example:

In case you saw it and thought, “hey that looked in!”, here’s a still frame:

And 10 minutes later:

And early in the second half:

About five minutes later, Weaver finally found the back of the net to pull the Cougars within a goal:

Unfortunately, with WSU pressing high for an equalizer, Colorado was able to put the game to bed with a goal in the 82nd minute.

I’m sure WSU coach Todd Shulenberger will be using this as a reminder to his team of the importance of not putting yourself in the position to have to chase a game. Yes, it appears WSU could have won this in a shootout, but the normally stout Cougar defense had an off day. Offense sometimes gets unlucky, but defense doesn’t rely on that.

Here’s to guessing that will be the coaching emphasis heading into the second game of the road trip against Utah, which kicks off at 11 a.m. PT on Sunday. That will be on Pac-12 Network.

Unlucky Afternoon Costs the No. 7 Cougars at No. 20 Colorado - Washington State University
BOULDER, Colo. – For the first time in 2018 the No. 7 Washington State soccer team found itself on the wrong side of the scoreboard as the Cougars (10-1-0, 3-1-0) fell 1-0 to No. 20 Colorado (10-0-3, 2-0-2) Thursday on the road.

Women's Soccer vs Colorado on 10/4/2018 - Washington State University
Box score.

College soccer: Colorado knocks off last undefeated team in the nation with 3-1 win over Washington State | NCAA.com
The No. 20 Colorado women's soccer team handed the No. 7 Washington State Cougars its first loss of the season on Thursday. The Buffs scored two early goals and held on for the 3-1 win at Prentup Field.

Zzu Mania!!!!!!!

It was a night to celebrate the beginning of basketball season, and a good time was apparently had by all of the few hundred in attendance in Bohler Gym.

I’m just gonna file this one away for the future.

Football Links

If you only read one WSU football story today, read this one by one of my favorite reporters, Dale Grummert of the Lewiston Morning Tribune. It includes this lede:

The Washington State playbook remains unchanged this season, but the Cougars’ Air Raid has developed a new personality with the arrival of Minshew, a happy-go-lucky graduate transfer who, by all accounts, inspired his teammates’ trust during the summer and is now running the offense like the mustachioed leader of a high-energy jazz band.

Moxie, mobility ... and a mustache | Sports | lmtribune.com

Rushing kings: Oregon State’s Jermar Jefferson leads a new wave of talented Pac-12 running backs | The Spokesman-Review
You won’t find Royce Freeman, Phillip Lindsay, Ryan Nall, Ronald Jones or Jamal Morrow in the end zone this season – and Bryce Love isn’t getting there quite as often – but the Pac-12 has certainly restocked its cupboard at the running back position.

Video: Washington State defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys post practice Oct. 4 - The Spokesman-Review - Oct. 4, 2018

Tay Martin's old coach hears WSU wideout's soaring confidence - Cougfan.com
Support system at WSU is why Pac-12's No. 2 receiver traveled so far for college.

Connor Halliday marvels at WSU's 'rebuilding' year - Cougfan.com
Says The Mississippi Mustache reminds him of a former Heisman winner

Cougs battle OSU in Corvallis – The Daily Evergreen
When WSU football heads to Corvallis on Saturday to face Oregon State University, they will be heavily favored to walk away with a victory but the Cougs aren’t taking the one win Beavers lightly.

From various angles, OSU’s Smith knows the Cougars well | Sports | dnews.com
There are two biographical facts about first-year Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith that hover in the distance this week as his team prepares for a home game against Washington State.

Oregon State running back Artavis Pierce upgraded to probable for Saturday's game vs. Washington State | OregonLive.com
Beavers coach Jonathan Smith said Thursday that running back Artavis Pierce was probable for Washington State, as he has practiced several times this week.

One Key Trend: Oregon State Beavers vs Washington State Cougars - 247sports.com
At the midway point of the season, the Beavers host Washington State this weekend at Reser Stadium. They are coming off an interesting game against Arizona State. One in which

Tale of the Tape: Oregon State Beavers vs Washington State - 247sports.com
After suffering a 52-24 loss in the desert, the Oregon State Beavers (1-4, 0-2) are set to return to Corvallis, as they’ll take on the Washington State Cougars (4-1,

Defense Looks to Stop Washington State - 247sports.com
Oregon State defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar previewed Washington State.

BeaversEdge.com - Oregon State Beavers Football: Artavis Pierce is probable for Saturday
The biggest news out of Thursday's practice was that head coach Jonathan Smith offered key injury updates for Saturday. In terms of good news, Smith indicated that running back Artavis Pierce, who suffered a elbow injury against Southern Utah, is probable for Saturday.

Back in the Sattel: Oregon State vs Washington State - Building The Dam
Justin Sattelmaier gives his keys to the game as Mike Leach and the Cougs invade Reser Stadium.

Oregon State Football vs Washington State: Q&A with CougCenter - Building The Dam
We chat with with SBN’s home for Cougs coverage about Saturday’s game.

Washington State Cougars football at Oregon State Beavers: Preview, TV channel, how to watch livestream online | OregonLive.com
Oregon State returns to Reser Stadium to wrap up the first half of its 2018 season with a 6 p.m. game against Northwest Pac-12 rival Washington State.

OSU football: Beavers focus on faster start on offense - Statesman Journal
Getting off to a faster and better start offensively has been a point of emphasis so far this week as the Beavers prepare for Washington State.

VIDEO: Coach says Coug backs hungry to prove they aren't zeros - Cougfan.com
After only five carries and no yards against Utah, Cougs' rushing attack faces a favorable opponent

BeaversEdge.com - 5 questions with Washington State expert
To learn more about the Beavers' upcoming opponent, BeaversEdge.com chatted with WazzuWatch.com publisher Scott Hood, who covers the WSU Cougars. Check out the Q&A below!

Oregon State Football Opponent Preview: Washington State - Building The Dam
I once asked my grandmother what visiting Pullman was like. She had been talking about my uncle’s playing days at Oregon State and how hard traveling to some of his games were, specifically mentioning Washington State. Her response? “It’s not quite the End of the World, but you can see it from there.”

WSU Athletics

Cougars Set to Compete in Chick-Fil-A Invite - Washington State University
The Washington State swim team travels to Fresno, Calif. to compete in the Chick-Fil-A Invite hosted by Fresno State.

Women's Golf Heads to Colorado for Ron Moore Women's Invitational - Washington State University
The Washington State women's golf team heads to Highlands Ranch, Colo. to compete at the Ron Moore Women's Invitational Friday through Sunday, Oct. 5-7. The tournament is hosted by the University of Denver.

Volleyball Heads to Arizona For Pair of Matches - Washington State University
Cougs look to keep their momentum rolling against Pac-12 competition, starting Friday night against Arizona State. The 8 p.m. PT match will be televised on Pac-12 Network.

Cougars Travel South for Long Beach Invitational - Washington State University
THIS WEEK: The Cougars will compete in the Long Beach Invitational, Oct. 5-7 in Long Beach, Calif.. The invitational will consist of four singles flights and two doubles flights.

Women's Basketball Television and Pac-12 Schedule Go Live - Washington State University
SAN FRANCISCO – After months of tedious work and planning, the Pac-12 office officially announced the women's basketball schedule and television appearances for the upcoming 2018-19 season Wednesday afternoon. The Cougars hit the court for the first time Monday, Oct. 29 in exhibition play while the regular season begins Tuesday, Nov. 6. WSU and the rest of the Pac-12 will begin play conference play Thursday, Dec. 29 with Washington State heading to Seattle for the first part of the Boeing Apple Cup Series with rival Washington.

Cougars Set to Race at Burnaby Lake - Washington State University
WSU ROWING TO COMPETE AT THE BURNABY LAKE SMALL BOAT INVITATIONAL: The Washington State University women's rowing team will travel to Burnaby, British Columbia, to participate in the Burnaby Lake Small Boat Invitational, Saturday, Oct. 6…the regatta will commence at 9 a.m.

A Letter from Athletic Director Pat Chun - Washington State University
"It's October in Pullman! I've learned that around the Palouse, the fall means ideal temperatures, amazing colors and, apparently, Cougar Athletics flexing its collective muscles at every turn."

Bayerlova Falls to Top Seed at Charleston - Washington State University
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Washington State tennis student-athlete Michaela Bayerlova saw her tournament end in the second round of the $25,000 ITF Charleston event Thursday at the LTP Tennis Club.