May 30, 2008
PULLMAN, Wash. - Eight matches against teams that participated in the postseason last year highlight the 2008 Washington State women's soccer schedule, as announced by Cougar Head Coach Matt Potter, Friday.
Washington State will play its first seven matches away from home, including four against schools outside the Cougars' region.
"We want to be a top program and to do that, we have to travel," Potter said. "The Pac-10 continues to be strong one through 10. "Our schedule is challenging, one that will test the ability of our team. With the depth and talent of this group, I believe the schedule will allow our team to identify itself as a postseason caliber team."
After a season-opening match at Montana (Aug. 22), Washington State travels to Harrisonburg, Va., for the James Madison University-Comfort Inn Invitational. The Cougars will play a pair of teams that advanced to the second round of the 2007 NCAA Women's Soccer Championship in James Madison (Aug. 29) and William & Mary (Aug. 31).
The following weekend, the Cougars are in Knoxville, Tenn., for the Ninth Annual First Tennessee Lady Vol Classic. WSU will take on Illinois (2007 NCAA second round), Sept. 5 and either West Virginia (2007 NCAA regional finalist) or host Tennessee (2007 NCAA third round), Sept. 7.
After road matches against UC Santa Barbara, Sept. 12 and Pepperdine, Sept. 14, the Cougars conclude their nonconference schedule with five matches in Pullman, including the home opener against Seattle, Sept. 17. WSU will also host Gonzaga, Sept. 26, Idaho, Sept. 28, and Eastern Washington, Oct. 3.
The Cougars begin Pac-10 play in Los Angeles taking on UCLA, Oct. 10 and USC, Oct. 12. The Pac-10 home opener is against California, a team that advanced to the 2007 NCAA second round, Oct. 17 followed by an Oct. 19 match-up with Stanford, a NCAA third round team a year ago.
WSU plays at Oregon, Oct. 24 and at Oregon State, Oct. 26 before finishing its regular season at home against Washington, Oct. 31, Arizona, Nov. 7 and Arizona State, Nov. 9.
