Early Goals Define Cougars' Conference Victory
Washington State defeated Oregon State 3-1 in their Pac-12 conference opener, establishing an early advantage that the Beavers could not overcome. The win improves Washington State's standing while dropping Oregon State to a 1-9-2 overall record and 0-1-0 in conference play.
The Cougars took control of the match within the first ten minutes. In the third minute, Delaney Hawkins scored the opening goal, assisted by Emma Widmor. A long pass from Widmor allowed Hawkins to rush behind the Beaver defense for a clean shot against Oregon State goalkeeper Libby Brooker. The ball found the bottom left of the goal, putting Washington State ahead 1-0.
Washington State doubled its lead shortly after. In the seventh minute, Calli Holje fired a pass to Hawkins, who identified a gap in the Beaver defense for another one-on-one opportunity against Brooker. Hawkins' shot was successful, giving the Cougars a two-goal advantage less than 10 minutes into the game.
Third Quarter Dominance Seals the Win
The Cougars extended their lead significantly in the second half of the first period. In the 27th minute, Riley Carolan headed in a goal from an Ashlyn Sandow corner kick. The set piece found its target effectively, making the score 3-0 for Washington State and effectively ending any hope of a comeback for Oregon State.
Despite the deficit, Oregon State managed to put one on the board late in the match. In the 79th minute, London Tsuma scored the Beavers' only goal. The sequence began when Emily Brandt's shot hit the crossbar and fell to Tsuma near Washington State goalkeeper Ashlyn Dvorak. Tsuma capitalized on the loose ball to make the final score 3-1.
Looking Ahead for the Beavers
The loss drops Oregon State's record to 1-9-2 overall and 0-1-0 in conference play, highlighting the challenges they face in their current season. The team now turns its attention to their next challenge.
The Beavers will host San Diego State next Thursday, October 8th, with kickoff set for 6 PM Pacific in Corvallis. This upcoming match represents a critical opportunity for Oregon State to regain momentum as they continue their conference schedule.