clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Photo Gallery: WSU women’s soccer beats Cal 2-0, continues push for Pac-12 title

By Jack RM Ellis
PULLMAN, WA - October 10: Washington State women’s soccer team defeats Pac 12 opponent California 2-0 at Lower Soccer Field Jack Ellis/CougCenter

If you haven’t been following the 2021 WSU women’s soccer team ... simply put, you are missing out. Todd Shulenberger has built one of the most consistently competitive programs in Washington State athletics history, with no signs of slowing down after a College Cup appearance in 2019 and yet another top recruiting class for 2022.

Coming off a disappointing loss to Stanford on Thursday, the Cougars dominated the California Golden Bears for all 90 minutes on a brisk Sunday afternoon, outshooting their opponents 11-6 and controlling possession for what felt like a 65-35 split.

Senior midfielder Sydney Pulver struck first for the Cougars when she was fouled in the box and subsequently drained a penalty kick in the top right corner of the net. Then, in the 54th minute, Elyse Bennett made it 2-0 with a beautiful strike on a pass from Oregon State transfer Sydney Studer. The biggest takeaways from yesterday’s match is that this team has masterful ball handling skills and the ability to make big plays on both sides of the pitch. That is a recipe for success.

Through the first 13 games of the season, the Cougars are 10-2-1 — including a perfect 6-0-0 on the road — and have outscored opponents 31-4 in the process. A wide array of youth and experience has propelled this team to second place in the Pac-12 standings.

Provided a trip to Tempe this weekend goes well — ASU has mustered only a draw from its first five conference games — a pair of huge games loom the following weekend. First place USC will visit Lower Soccer Field on October 21, and you can catch if you are in town early for the BYU game or simply want to see what athletic excellence looks like in person. Then, on Sunday October 24, they will host No. 3 UCLA at 5 p.m. Two chances for not just signature wins, but to potentially vault to the top of the standings.

CougCenter was at Lower Soccer Field covering the game’s biggest moments and plays. Enjoy!

  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter
  • Jack Ellis/CougCenter

More From CougCenter