WSoccer: Cougs battle nationally ranked Minnesota to scoreless draw

Opening the 2017 season at home against a ranked opponent for the second-straight season, the Cougars soccer team (0-0-1) played the No. 19 ranked Minnesota Gophers (0-0-1) to a 0-0, double overtime, draw Friday night.

Throughout the night, both teams had their chances with the Cougs Morgan Weaver striking the post early in the game while the Gophers forced keeper Ella Dederick to come up with a trio of saves. Despite being held off the scoreboard on the offensive end, the Cougs were able to fall back on their veteran defense to match their Gophers tackle for tackle to stymie the Minnesota attack.

After giving up eight shots in the second half, the Cougs gave up just one attempt during the two overtime periods allowing the youthful offense to take a crack at the win in the waning moments.

Coach's Quote Of The Match "Obviously you want to get the win, but that's a very good side over there. Getting a tie against a nationally ranked team and the amount of freshmen we played tonight and the situations, they had to become grown up tonight. I'm excited for that. So, we'll take that result."

Things You Need To KnowThe Cougs are 22-5-2 in season openers and 9-3-1 at home. . .WSU is now 1-4-2 against ranked opponents to open the season. . .All-time, Minnesota leads the series 1-2-1. . .Just the second Big 10 team the Cougs have hosted to open a season, the last coming in 1998 when WSU faced off against Minnesota in Pullman. . .Ella Dederick recorded her eighth career shutout, moving her into a tie for ninth all-time with Kris Young, 1991-94. . .Attendance: 2,137.