Washington State Cougars
Overall Rank: #24
#3 Pac-12
Washington State Team Page
A new era is in place for Washington State women’s soccer for the 2014 season. Steve Nugent is the new head coach coming over from UNC-Greensboro taking over for Keidane McAlpine who left the Cougars to take over as the new head coach at USC. There is a balanced mix of youth and experience returning for Washington State this fall as they look to make it back to the NCAA Tournament.
2013 Record: 14-3-4, 7-3-1
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Steve Nugent
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Nicole Setterlund, Senior, M, 8
Assists: Kourtney Guetlein, Junior, F, 8
Shots: Mesa Owsley, Senior, M, 41
Saves: Gurveen Clair, Redshirt Senior, GK, 3
Other Key Returnees: F Jocelyn Jeffers, F Kailiana Johnson, M Cara Wegner, D Susie White, D Jamie Schnieders
Key Losses: F Micaela Castain, D Rachael Doyle, D Delaney Zalud, D Katie Turney
Strengths:
The overall balance of the Cougars stood out as last year especially defensively as they only conceded 11 goals and went 7-1-3 away from Pullman. The returning experience in the attack will be a huge plus for Coach Nugent in his first season. Senior Midfielder Nicole Setterlund is the leading returning scorer with eight goals. Also, junior forward Kourtney Guetlein will be key once again in creating quality scoring chances as Guetlein dished out eight assists last season.
Weaknesses:
The inability to finish quality scoring chances in the first round NCAA Tournament matchup with Illinois last November cost Washington State. The Cougars outshot the Illini 29-10 but just could not find the back of the net. The challenge of replacing Micaela Castain up top is going to be a big task for Washington State. Castain, scored eleven goals and dished out eleven assists in 2013. Incoming freshman Sofia Anker-Kofoed is going to be a player to watch as Kofoed comes over from Sweden with a lot of international experience.
Final Projection:
It won’t take long for the Cougars to find out where they stand as they take on Brigham Young in Provo on August 25th. South Field is never an easy place to win and the will of Washington State will be tested right away. The conference schedule is a bit more road heavy with tough matchups at Stanford and Colorado. The Cougars do end the season with three straight home matches starting with the defending national champion UCLA Bruins on October 31st. If Washington State can navigate the road heavy part of the conference schedule and stay healthy they will be right there in the mix for the third position in the Pac-12 Conference this season.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 1.76 (75th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.500 (7, 2)
Shutout Percentage: 0.714 (3, 1)
Save Percentage: 0.841 (27, 4)
Madness 2014 Women’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#88 Ella Dederick
See All College Sports Madness Top 44 Women's Soccer Previews
