The WSU Cougars soccer team suffered two tough losses this weekend when they played Oregon State University and the University of Oregon.
Oregon State’s first half goals gave the Cougars their first loss in four games Friday night in Corvallis, Ore.
The Beavers came out fast in the first half, putting pressure on the Cougar defense that created an opportunity when they received a corner kick. Just seven minutes into the match, Oregon State’s Ashley Folsom got a shot off from sophomore Jacy Drobney’s corner kick and put the ball past Cougar goalkeeper Gurveen Clair.
The Beavers continued to control the pace of the first half, gaining momentum going in to the 34th minute, when the Beavers buried the ball into the net for a 2-0 lead.
OSU defender Junior Justyne Freud was awarded a free kick from 50 yards out and placed the ball inside of the box to junior teammate Chelsea Buckland. Buckland took control of the ball and poked it past Clair.
Overall, the first half was a physical match as the Beavers recorded 11 fouls. There were also three yellow cards given out between the two teams, and the Beavers outshot the Cougars 8-2.
“Our preparation was spot on,"Head Coach Matt Potter said. “In the first half we didn’t show up to play and we were punished for it.”
The Cougars entered the second half with energy, generating three corner kicks and a couple of shots in the first 13 minutes, but were unable to get on the scoreboard until the 73rd minute.
A foul was called in the Beaver penalty box, which awarded the Cougars with a penalty kick. Freshman Jocelyn Jeffers was able to convert the PK and put the Cougars on the scoreboard. The goal was Jeffers' sixth of the season. She now leads the Cougars in scoring.
“Our effort in the second half was much better and we got a reward for it,” Potter said. “However, we dug ourselves too big of a hole and that it is our lesson for tonight.”
The 2-1 loss for the Cougars took them out of No. 2 in the conference. Their record for the season is now 10-5-2.
After the tough loss, the Cougars faced the Oregon Ducks on Sunday.
The Cougs were upset in Eugene 1-0. Achijah Berry's first-half goal lifted Oregon past No. 18 Washington State.
The victory for the Ducks (8-7-2, 3-4-1 Pac-12) was their first at home over the Cougars (10-6-2, 4-3-1 Pac-12) in eight tries all-time.
The goal came in the 25th minute as Berry beat WSU redshirt-freshman goalkeeper Gurveen Clair from 15 yards after receiving a pass from Mo Fitzgerald.
Following a quiet first half offensively, Washington State generated seven shots and earned six corner kicks.
Five of the Cougars' nine shots in the match were on frame, and sophomore Rachael Doyle's attempt in the 65th minute hit the crossbar, denying Washington State the equalizer.
Washington State has three matches remaining in the regular season, all Pac-12 road meetings. The Cougars wil visit Arizona State at 7 p.m. Friday.
