NCAA WOMEN'S SOCCER: WSU blanks Montana in opener

From news services

PULLMAN — Sophomore Marin Whieldon scored her first goal as a Coug in the 37th minute, and the 15th-ranked Washington State (14-2-4) women's soccer team went on to blank Montana (13-6-1) 3-0 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday evening before 1,181 at Lower Soccer Field.

WSU, which reached the Women's College Cup (final four) two years ago, advances to take on No. 3 seed Tennessee in the second round Friday in Ann Arbor, Mich. The No. 2 seed in the region, Michigan, will host both the second and third round tournament games at their home site.

WSU out-shot Montana 20-2 and had a 12-0 advantage in corner kicks. Bridget Rieken, a defender from Lake City High with four goals this season, had one shot on goal vs. the Griz.

Sydney Pulver scored on a penalty kick in the 79th minute for the Cougars, and Grayson Lynch made it 3-0 in the 83rd minute.

The Griz did put a small scare into the Cougs early when a slip in the defensive third let a ball get through to the far side of the box where Montana's Ali Monroe was waiting. Monroe would get a good look, tagging one off the post just out of reach of freshman Nadia Cooper in goal. WSU did not allow another shot in the match until a long ball chance from Montana in the 83rd minutes sailed well wide and out of play.

The Cougs advanced out of the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight postseason.