Go Cougs!
The Cougs are officially back in action, kicking off the start of the new 2024 collegiate year with some footy! Notable returning starting players for our WSU Women’s Soccer Team include:
Goalie:
Nadia Cooper (an absolute wall in the net) – Senior.
Defense:
Reese Tappan (an impenetrable and field flipping demon) – Senior.
Brianna Pizarro (possesses the field and valuable experience on the Puerto Rican National Team) -Super Senior transfer from OSU.
Jenna Studer (returning from injury last year and was a major contributor in 2022’s squad) – Medical Redshirt Senior.
Midfielders:
Reagan Kotschau (fantastic All Pac-12 and Top 100 2023 freshman and Preseason WCC All First Team Selection) – Sophomore.
Lindsey Turner (perennial lockdown queen in the center) – 5th year Junior.
Megan Santa Cruz (an opponent’s nightmare and 2023 All Pac 12 Freshman Honoree and Top 100 freshman) – Sophomore.
Rajanah Reed (an X factor starter/sub with awesome corner kicks) – Senior.
Strikers:
Naomi Clark (unstoppable sharpshooter up front and 2023 Top 100 Freshman) – Sophomore.
Grayson Lynch (Coug veteran coming off a 2023 injury with freaky sweet finesse and a 2024 Preseason WCC All First Team Selection) – Redshirt 5th Year.
New Faces and Transfers:
Julianna Duckett (Veteran midfielder with NCAA postseason experience in 2021 and 2023) -Super Senior transfer from Pepperdine University.
Maggie Mace (Midfielder with collegiate experience and wicked smahts (smarts) with Dean’s List and President’s List GPA years) – Junior transfer from Coastal Carolina University.
Liya Brooks (Goalkeeper with great raw talent to keep an eye on) – Redshirt Freshman.
Ashly Berge (under the radar but talented veteran Forward with Mountain West experience) – Senior transfer from Boise State.
Away Season Opener vs The Purdue Boilermakers:
The Cougs experienced their first test of the season last Thursday in West Lafayette, losing 1-0 in a gritty heartbreaker. The defense looked stout, shutting down a likely energized and motivated Boiler home crowd with several deflections and timely tackles in the box by the back line as well as 6 huge saves of her own by Nadia. The offense only accumulated 3 shots on goal on 7 shot attempts registered by the team, but can’t be completely blamed for such difficulties in the first bout of the season in a historically intense environment.
The Cougs will look to bounce back this week on Thursday for their home opener against Montana, a team which won the Big Sky title last season and reached the NCAA tourney. Another great test but one I feel confident in at home! Game starts at 7pm PT, Cougs! These games are super easy to get to, right along Cougar Way next to Einstein’s and Global Scholars on the northside of campus. You can receive merch/memorabilia for going to multiple home games and our soccer team is truly amazing every year (with almost yearly appearances in the NCAA tourney). The matches are free to enter as well, so don’t hesitate to stop by.
Next week’s segment will discuss more on what to like about this year’s team as we start to settle in on a starting core unit. Till next time Cougs, have a great week! GO COUGS!