Washington State matched the biggest upset in program history with a win over UCLA.
PULLMAN, Wash. - In a performance for the Washington State record books, the Cougars (8-5-2, 3-4-0) accomplished what no other team had been able to accomplish, defeating No. 2 UCLA (12-1-2, 5-1-1), 1-0, Thursday night at Lower Soccer Field.
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In just the fourth minute of action, the Cougs would produce the would-be game-winner when Maegan O'Neill tapped home a loose ball inside the six that found the danger area off a Cougar corner kick. The Cougs would press the action for the entire first half, banging shots off the post and forcing saves by the UCLA keeper.
4' | GOOOOAAAALLLLL Maegan O'Neill off the scrum on the corner | 1-0 WSU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/LQ6Ek9fDGz
— WSU Cougar Soccer (@WSUCougarSoccer) October 20, 2017
After the break, the Cougars turned to their energy into a defensive wall while looking to counter, shutting down the high-powered Bruin attack to preserve the shutout. In all, the Cougs would leave the field with their biggest upset in program history, placing them right back in the postseason conversation.
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What you need to know:
FINAL | COUGS WIN!!!!!!!! Knocking off #2 UCLA | 1-0 WSU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/qRSoQzLouj
— WSU Cougar Soccer (@WSUCougarSoccer) October 20, 2017
- The Cougs matched their biggest upset in program history after beating #2 Washington, 1-0 (2OT) on Nov. 3, 2000.
- The win marked the Cougs 9th win against a top-10 opponent all-time while improving WSU's record to 3-2-1 against the top-25 in 2017.
- The shutout was WSU's 8th of the season and fourth against top-25 opponents.
- The 1-0 score was the first time UCLA was held without a goal in 2017 and the first time the Bruins were shutout since Oct. 30, 2016, a 2-0 loss at Utah. The 2-0 loss at Utah was also the last time the Bruins had been defeated on the pitch.
- Ella Dederick's 8th shutout of the season ties for the 3rd most in WSU single-season history. She now has 15 in her career, 4th most in WSU history.
- Maegan O'Neill's goal at 3:50 marked the fastest goal scored for the Cougars in 2017 and the fastest goal scored since Morgan Weaver scored in the 2nd minute against North Dakota State on Sept. 4, 2016.
- O'Neill's goal was her third of the season. She has scored three of the Cougs' last four goals at home with all three coming off of corner kicks.
- O'Neill's goal was assisted by Maddy Haro and Aaqila McLyn. Haro's assist was her team-leading 6th of the year while McLyn was credited with her second career helper.
