Box Score
LAS VEGAS – The University of Nevada soccer team outshot #23 Washington State, but a Cougar penalty kick in the 65th minute was the difference as nationally-ranked Washington State posted a 1-0 win over the Pack (1-5-1) in the final game of the UNLV Rebel Classic in Las Vegas.
Washington State (5-1-1) scored the game-winner in the 65th minute on a penalty kick. The Cougars Carly Dobratz was running onto a ball just outside Nevada’s box with Devin Noe tracking back with Dobratz. Nevada keeper Marie Cove called for the ball and as she came off her line to make the save, Dobratz got tripped up in the box and Washington State was awarded a penalty kick. Cove dove left on Mallory Fox’s attempt, but Fox was able to beat Cove to the lower left corner, scoring what proved to be the game winner.
“We came out and played well from the beginning and we were unable to convert an opportunity in the first half. Washington State came out in the second half and converted on their opportunity,” interim head coach Antoinette Marjanovic said. “Overall, it was a good performance by both teams and unfortunately we came out on the losing end.”
Cristen Drummond’s shot in the 86th minute narrowly missed tying the game as her blast to the upper left corner forced Cougar keeper Brynn Bemis to make a diving save.
Nevada dominated play for the majority of the first half recording eight shots while holding the Washington State offense shotless for the first 22 minutes of the game.
In the 16th minute the Pack fired off three consecutive shots, forcing the Cougar defense and keeper to make three stops. Cove played a ball to Drummond who had her shot knocked away by Bemis. Karen Zmirak collected the loose ball and fired a shot that a Washington State defender cleared off the line. Samantha Miller collected the clearance and hit a shot that was saved by Bemis.
Zmirak connected with Noe’s free kick in the 18th minute, but Zmirak’s header went wide.
Nevada ended the game with 12 shots (nine on goal) while Washington State finished with 11 (four on goal). Drummond took a game-high four shots for Nevada. Cove made three saves in goal for the Pack while Bemis made eight for the Cougars.
Nevada will play at UC Davis on Friday, Sept. 28 before hosting intra-state rival UNLV on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 1 p.m.
