Wednesday, October 8
Moraga, CA
4:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
1
vs
0
Washington State
Photo by: Kellen Steplight/SMC Athletics
WSOC | Gritty Gaels Takedown Washington State, Unbeaten in Nine Straight Matches
10/8/2025 8:21:00 PM | Women's Soccer
MORAGA, Calif. – In a physical and intense contest, Saint Mary's held off a late storm from the Washington State Cougars to win 1-0 for their eighth win of the season, extending their current unbeaten streak to nine games for the longest since 2001. Junior forward Sydney Middaugh scored the eventual game-winner in the seventh minute for her team leading fifth of
the season.
The Gaels went on to get great defensive play from their entire back line to hold off an aggressive Cougars offense in the second half to seal the one-goal victory. Senior center back Amari Hicks made a game-saving block in the 81st minute to contribute to a terrific defensive performance for Saint Mary's. The Gaels will end the week in Seattle to take on the Redhawks for their first ever WCC match and their first meeting since 2014.
FIRST HALF SMC 1-0 WSU
Saint Mary's came out on the front foot to start the match, resulting in a goal just seven minutes in. Maddie Lucas and Briana Salvetti linked up just outside the 18-yard box with some nice combination play and then Salvetti slipped a darting Middaugh into the box where she poked the ball past the charging Cougars keeper. Middaugh now has a career high five goals this season to lead the Gaels.
Saint Mary's finished with eight shot attempts in the first half while Washington State had five and forced four saves from Kate Plachy in goal.
FINAL SMC 1-0 WSU
Both teams were even in shots with four apiece, but the Cougars were on the front foot for the majority of the second half. Defensively, the Gaels withstood a lot of pressure and relied on some key challenges and saves from Plachy to hang on for the 1-0 victory.
In a transition moment for Washington State in the 81st minute, Amari Hicks came from the weak side in the penalty box to make a lunging slide tackle, blocking the shot attempt and preserving their lead. The Cougars forward was in on goal, 1v1 with Plachy, but Hicks covered ground quickly to make the block.
In goal, Plachy finished with five saves for her sixth game this season with 5+ saves. She continues to lead the conference with eight shutouts and now has 14 career shutouts to take sole possession of fifth place all-time in program history.
Seven total players for Saint Mary's played all 90 minutes including true freshman Madison Casado who stepped in at center back for the second consecutive game. Savannah Schwarze and Sydney Middaugh led the Gaels with three shot attempts each while Lucas and Salvetti got credit for their second assist of the season. Historically, the win also marked the program's first ever one at home over Washington State over their nine-game history dating back to 1992.
LOOKING AHEAD
Saint Mary's improved to 8-1-2 overall and 3-0-1 in WCC play. They will finish week three of the conference season with a road match against first-year WCC member Seattle U on Saturday, October 11th at 6:00 PM. Tickets can be bought online and the match can be streamed live on ESPN+.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
the season.
The Gaels went on to get great defensive play from their entire back line to hold off an aggressive Cougars offense in the second half to seal the one-goal victory. Senior center back Amari Hicks made a game-saving block in the 81st minute to contribute to a terrific defensive performance for Saint Mary's. The Gaels will end the week in Seattle to take on the Redhawks for their first ever WCC match and their first meeting since 2014.
FIRST HALF SMC 1-0 WSU
Saint Mary's came out on the front foot to start the match, resulting in a goal just seven minutes in. Maddie Lucas and Briana Salvetti linked up just outside the 18-yard box with some nice combination play and then Salvetti slipped a darting Middaugh into the box where she poked the ball past the charging Cougars keeper. Middaugh now has a career high five goals this season to lead the Gaels.
7' | SMC 1 - WSU 0
— Saint Mary's Women's Soccer (@SMC_WSoccer) October 8, 2025
Sydney Middaugh gives the Gaels the early lead ‼️#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/YrV2z9CPj5
Saint Mary's finished with eight shot attempts in the first half while Washington State had five and forced four saves from Kate Plachy in goal.
FINAL SMC 1-0 WSU
Both teams were even in shots with four apiece, but the Cougars were on the front foot for the majority of the second half. Defensively, the Gaels withstood a lot of pressure and relied on some key challenges and saves from Plachy to hang on for the 1-0 victory.
In a transition moment for Washington State in the 81st minute, Amari Hicks came from the weak side in the penalty box to make a lunging slide tackle, blocking the shot attempt and preserving their lead. The Cougars forward was in on goal, 1v1 with Plachy, but Hicks covered ground quickly to make the block.
Teamwork makes the dream work 🤩
— Saint Mary's Women's Soccer (@SMC_WSoccer) October 9, 2025
Defender Amari Hicks clears the ball to keep the Cougars off the board!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/JfdOVZjtGw
In goal, Plachy finished with five saves for her sixth game this season with 5+ saves. She continues to lead the conference with eight shutouts and now has 14 career shutouts to take sole possession of fifth place all-time in program history.
Who other than Kate Plachy to make this save?#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/gh6L5rnuee
— Saint Mary's Women's Soccer (@SMC_WSoccer) October 8, 2025
Seven total players for Saint Mary's played all 90 minutes including true freshman Madison Casado who stepped in at center back for the second consecutive game. Savannah Schwarze and Sydney Middaugh led the Gaels with three shot attempts each while Lucas and Salvetti got credit for their second assist of the season. Historically, the win also marked the program's first ever one at home over Washington State over their nine-game history dating back to 1992.
LOOKING AHEAD
Saint Mary's improved to 8-1-2 overall and 3-0-1 in WCC play. They will finish week three of the conference season with a road match against first-year WCC member Seattle U on Saturday, October 11th at 6:00 PM. Tickets can be bought online and the match can be streamed live on ESPN+.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's SoccerMF
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerGK
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerMF
/ Women's SoccerWSOC | Sydney Middaugh Goal vs. Washington State
Wednesday, October 08
WSOC | Ashlyn Vaughn Goal vs. LMU, Featured on SportsCenter's Top-10
Tuesday, October 07
WSOC | Game Winner vs. Gonzaga in WCC Opener
Thursday, September 25
WSOC | Postgame Interview vs. Hawaii 2025
Monday, September 08
