by WSU Athletics
LARAMIE, Wyo. - In a back-and-forth battle in Laramie Wyo., Washington State women's soccer came out on top of Wyoming, defeating the Cowgirls 3-2, Sunday.
The Cougars' win, which interrupted a six-game winning streak for Wyoming, brings their record to 4-1-0. Washington State never trailed in the match and it held the advantage in shots with 13 to the Cowgirls' 7. Wyoming did not go down without a fight, though, as they came back to tie the game twice.
The Cougars got on the board first when senior Brandi Vega picked up her third goal of the season. Vega beat the keeper in the 14th minute on a direct shot to the left corner of the net.
The Cowgirls scored three minutes before the half when Liz O'Reilly scored on a free kick from fifteen yards out to go into halftime with one goal apiece.
Washington State once again took control of the scoreboard four minutes after the half when team scoring leader, junior Micaela Castain put the ball in the back of the net. The goal marks Castain's sixth goal this season.
In the 77th minute, Wyoming's Jennifer Paul tied the game once again when she converted from 10 yards out. Paul's goal slipped by Cougar senior goalkeeper Ariana Byrd and just barely edged its way into far right corner of the goal.
Less than three minutes later, Washington State answered when freshman stand-out Kourtney Guetlein scored her second goal of the season, which would prove to be the game-winning goal.
"We were very fortunate to get the win today," stated Keidane McAlpine, the first-year Cougar head coach. "On games like this you have got to find ways to win, and today we were fortunate enough to come out of here with a win."
Washington State split goalkeeping duties between redshirt-sophomore Gurveen Clair and senior Ariana Byrd. Clair played the first half allowing one goal and recording no saves. Byrd allowed one goal, had one save and was credited with the win. The Cougars tied the Cowgirls in corner kicks with two apiece.
COUGAR NOTES
All-time series with Wyoming is 3-0... Junior Micaela Castain, senior Brandi Vega and freshman Kourtney Guetlein are among the statistical leaders in the Pac-12 Conference, all of whom scored against the Cowgirls...Cougars return to action Sept. 14 when they host Hawaii at 4 p.m.
© Washington State beat Wyoming 3-2 on Sunday (FILE/SWX)
