MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's battled the Washington State Cougars at a soggy Saint Mary's Stadium on Sunday afternoon, bested by the visitor's 2-0. 
 
Despite a few chances on goal in the second half, Saint Mary's were unable to convert their opportunities. Washington State used their strength to overpower the Gaels, scoring their two goals late in each half. 
 
POLAND PRESSURED
The Cougars wasted no time testing the Saint Mary's defense, forcing Taylor Poland out of her goal just two minutes into the contest. Washington State created a few chances early, including a header that glanced just right of Poland's post in the 4^th minute. The Cougars were able to work the Gaels back into their own defensive half, forcing them to lob to ball up to midfield as opposed to playing the ball out themselves.
 
Washington State nearly opened the scoring in the 11^th minute, when a Cougars forward launched a right footed shot that clattered into Taylor Poland's left post. Lauren Hinton had another solid day in defense, stopping a Cougars counter attack in the 14^th minute. 
 
FIGHTING FROM BEHIND
Saint Mary's slowly began to grow into the half, winning more battles in midfield and beginning to control more of possession. Their patience nearly paid off, as the best chance of the half came for the Gaels in the 32^ndminute. Alessandra Towle found herself wide open on the left wing, where she calmly placed a cross into the stride of Emily Jensen. Jensen connected strongly on her header, but was unable to redirect the shot, which landed safely in the hands of the Cougars keeper. 
 
The Gaels were punished for not taking the lead, and Washington State pounced, scoring a goal of their own in the 34^th minute. A cross from the left side found a Cougars attacker who calmly redirected the header across Taylor Poland's goal and into the back right corner.
 
SECOND HALF STRATEGY
The second half began with similar intensity as the first, with both teams wanting to establish momentum. Saint Mary's began to commit more players forward, leaving them vulnerable for a Cougars counter attack. Washington State created a few chances of their own, as twice they were able to connect with headers, ultimately ending up wide of Poland's goal. 
 
Saint Mary's best opportunity to level the score came via Isabella Santavicca, who knuckled a right footed shot across the Cougars goal in the 58^th minute. Despite the tricky shot, the Cougars keeper made a fantastic save to keep the Gaels off the scoreboard. 
 
After Santavicca's effort, Washington State began to slow the game down, comfortable in eating away time. Fatigue began to set in for the Gaels, and despite playing an aggressive second half, they conceded again with just five minutes remaining in the game via a solo run for the Cougars top scorer. 

UP NEXT
Saint Mary's are back in action in two weeks' time, as they open up conference play against BYU at Saint Mary's Stadium on Saturday October 1 at 12 pm.