The CCU women's soccer team handled the Wayne State Wildcats on Sunday, September 3, by a score of 4-2. The win is the Cougars first of the young season, bringing their record to 1-1.
 
            CCU opened up scoring in the first half in the 23^rd minute when junior Mollie Monson netted her first goal of the season on a distance shot from 25 yards out. In 2016 when Monson was a freshman she scored six goals in 23 games played.
 
            Later on in the half, Wayne State would take a corner kick in the 39^th minute that initially resulted in a saved shot by freshman keeper Ashleigh Maguire, but WSU player Bryana Garcia tapped back the rebound off the save. The score would stay even until halftime.
 
            Early in the second half CCU came out firing, launching shots from the onset. It paid off in the 50^th when Monson used every inch of her 5'10" frame to claim her second goal for the game off a header from a Lauren Cardoza corner kick.  
 
            Head coach Tammy McPherson was thrilled by Mollies two goal performance saying, "Mollie is one of the most technical players we have, and very tactically minded, so I'm excited that she finished two incredible goals. This will only boost her confidence and all of our expectations for her to score on a regular basis."
 
            But Wayne State would not go away, and in the 63^rd minute scored the equalizer off a cross that came in from the right side for an easy six-yard tap in. Unfortunately for the Wildcats that would cap their scoring for the day.
           
            CCU did not wait long to take back the lead, because only 32 seconds later senior Alyssa Regalado would curl in a shot from 20 yards out to take the lead in the game. Regalado's second goal of the season was also her 12^th of her career at CCU. With at least 15 more games on the schedule, Regalado can make a run towards the individual goal record set at 28 by Erin Brunelle in 2001. It is a lofty goal, but Regalado has put herself on a good pace to be amongst the best in CCU history after just two years with the Cougars.
 
            As insurance, CCU was able to tack on an additional goal in the 85^TH minute when junior midfielder Renee De La Torre notched her first goal on the season when she was able to tap home a pass from Regalado to finalize the scoring.
 
            After the game coach McPherson was nothing but encouaraged and optimistic about the way the team is playing right now stating, "The fact that we're struggling with injuries and still playing well gives this team a lot of confidence as we look to enter conference play in two weeks. In addition, the ability to score four great goals, on the road, is no small thing so I'm looking forward to watching this team continue to develop and strive for excellence in all areas of their game; a successful attacking team creates a fun environment for everyone and momentum for our team!"
 
            The Cougars will get a few days rest before taking to the pitch again, this time in Billings, MT, when they travel to play against the Marauders of the University of Mary on Friday September 8 at 2:00 p.m.