GAINESVILLE, Fla. – For the first time in Washington State soccer history, the Cougs (10-7-4) pushed their way into the third round of the NCAA Championships after advancing past #20 Tennessee (15-4-2) on penalty kicks, 3-1, Friday afternoon in the Florida regional. The Cougs dominated the shootout thanks to three huge saves from Ella Dederick as the redshirt-junior denied three-straight Volunteer attempts. On the other end, the Cougs would not be denied as Maegan O'Neill, Sofia Anker-Kofoed, and Jordan Branch all calmly slotted home their attempts from the spot. For WSU, the shootout victory would not have been possible without the late game heroics from their senior Kelsee Crenshaw as the fourth-year outside back staved off elimination and the end to her collegiate career with a long-range bomb in the 79' to even the game at 2-2. Crenshaw's rocket from deep was necessary after Tennessee took a 2-1 lead into the locker room thanks to a pair of goals Danielle Marcano. Marcano's strikes put the Vols ahead after WSU had opened the scoring in just the 13' when sophomore sensation Morgan Weaver drilled her first postseason goal on the Cougs first shot of the day.
Crenshaw's long range strike to tie the game at 2-2, 1st goal of the year for the senior #GoCougs #WinOrGoHome pic.twitter.com/fmhMn58imN
— WSU Cougar Soccer (@WSUCougarSoccer) November 17, 2017
Coach's Quote Of The Match
"What a game. Cougs advance into the Round of 16 off of a 2-2 tie that goes into penalty kicks. What a performance from our goalkeeper over here, Ella, and the three young ladies who took the shots to close the deal…Here's this little old team from Washington State, Pullman, Washington that comes to Orlando and beats an unbelievable UCF team, knocks them out. Then comes down here and plays a fantastic Tennessee team. When we packed two weeks ago I told the team we're coming here to win and we're coming here to stay. Pack your bags and we're going to go out on this journey."
Things You Need To Know
- The Cougs moved on to the third round of the NCAA Championships for the first time in program history on their fourth attempt.
- The double-overtime draw with the Vols marked the third overtime affair with Tennessee all-time in which the Cougs are 1-0-2.
- WSU has played in six overtime games, all double-overtime affairs, in the postseason, falling in four while advancing on PKs in two others.
- The shootout win was the first for WSU since 2011 when the Cougs advanced past Kentucky 4-2. WSU had lost its last two shootouts in 2012 and 2013.
- Morgan Weaver's goal was her team-best seventh of the season and first since scoring at Oregon on Oct. 5. Maddy Haro assisted on the goal, her seventh assist. The Cougs are a perfect 6-0-1 in games Weaver has scored in.
- Kelsee Crenshaw's goal was her first of the season and second career goal. Her first goal came at Washington in 2015. Shayna Whieldon assisted on the goal, her first of the season and first since tallying one at Oregon State in 2016.
- The Cougs improved to 4-3-2 against top-25 opponents on the year.
- The Cougs move on to face the winner of South Florida and #16 in the third round of the NCAA Championships. The game is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. (ET) in Gainesville, Fla.
Big S/out to our @WSUCougarSoccer on the win. Huge S/out to my bb @ellaadederick seal the win!
— Area_51 (@frankluvu7) November 17, 2017
#Beast#BestGoalKeeperInThePac12🤷🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/UijZLgaxtt
Boom! Congrats to @WSUCougarSoccer on a win over Tennessee today in the NCAAs! #GoCougs #Sweet16
— Kirk H Schulz (@WSU_Cougar_Pres) November 17, 2017
That Feeling!! #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/6IJJ15hL5X
— WSU Cougar Soccer (@WSUCougarSoccer) November 17, 2017
