Historic debut for Lady Zags beneath the lights

The Lady Zags celebrate first win in 25 tries against WSU | Photo Gallery [+]

You probably could not script things any better. On a day in which the Gonzaga men's program put forth their best offensive output in two years for a 4-1 win against University of Illinois-Chicago, the Gonzaga women bested them in the nightcap in the first official contest beneath the new lights at Luger Field. They registered their first-ever win, 1-0, against nearby giant Washington State, a regular NCAA tournament participant that was coming off a 1-0 win against 13th-ranked Santa Clara just three nights earlier in Pullman.

Huerta, Setterlund chosen by Chicago in NWSL draft

Boise native Sofia Huerta was chosen 11th overall Friday morning at the third annual National Women's Soccer League Draft in Philadelphia by the Chicago Red Stars, who later also selected Washington State University's Nicole Setterlund in the third round.

Huerta, a US and Mexican youth international, was the second choice in the second round of the draft and was the fourth of seven taken overall by Chicago in the four-round, nine-team draft. With their sixth selection, the Red Stars wrapped up the third round, 27th pick, with Setterlund (Surrey, BC), a Canadian youth international.

Five area players on NWSL draft list; Spokane's Ramos on radar ahead of MLS SuperDraft

The National Women's Soccer League released its initial list of eligible player for its third annual draft to be held Friday, January 16 during the NSCAA Convention at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Preceding the NWSL draft, Major League Soccer will conduct the first two rounds of the SuperDraft on Thursday.

Among the NWSL list are five players from the region, four combined from Boise State, Eastern Washington and Washington state along with Boise native Sofia Huerta. Additional players may join the list as registration for the draft is still open, closing on Wednesday. Whitworth University and Spokane Shadow standout Mike Ramos has grabbed the attention of several MLS clubs, and is expected to sign professionally for 2015 be it in the top flight or lower divisions.

Heartbreak for Gonzaga in near upset of Washington State

Gonzaga nearly ended Washington State's unbeaten record against the Bulldogs | Photos: Gerald Barnhart

Facing one of the best opponents they may see all season, the Gonzaga women took Washington State nearly the distance Friday, taking a surprising initial lead and holding on to force overtime before falling 2-1 to the unbeaten Cougars, who rallied on a pair of finished crosses by Jocelyn Jeffers and Kailiana Johnson.

Brittany Doan put the hosts in front in the 17th minute, but it was the Bulldogs as a whole showing no fear against a defensive unit that had allowed just one goal in its five previous non-conference games, including two scoreless draws against ranked opponents. The Zags came out punching from the opening whistle and nearly scored on a number of occasions in the first half as they gave the Cougar defense a lot of fits in the early going.

Gore and Ellsworth lead debut Best XI for first week of college play

Each week INWsoccernews will release lists of the week’s best performances for men’s and women’s soccer in the region, recognizing players at schools in the region or those from the area that play elsewhere in the nation.

With a limited number of games on the men’s side, the list for the first week (plus a little more) is combined for men and women.

INW collegiate spring soccer update: Gonzaga, WSU, Idaho

Kellyn Nelson heads in a lengthy free kick to give Gonzaga the 2-2 draw | Photos: Gerald Barnhart [gallery]

The Gonzaga women put in their first Division I spring contest Sunday afternoon at home against 2012 NCAA Tournament participant Washington State University and came away with a 2-2 draw in a match marred by failed clearances that led to three of the four strikes.

Gonzaga, WSU reschedule spring friendly

The Gonzaga University women's soccer team announced today that their spring schedule opener at home against Washington State University, set for Saturday, has been rescheduled for April 7 (4:00 pm) due to a schedule conflict for the Cougars.

Spring schedules under way for Idaho trio

Idaho State's spring schedule includes a lot of trips to the state of Utah | Photos: Gerald Barnhart

The three Division I universities in Idaho are in the midst of their schedule of spring friendlies and training, highlighted by the recent meeting between Boise State and Idaho State last weekend. The University of Idaho plays its first match March 23.

The reigning Big Sky champion ISU Bengals kicked things off February 23 at the BYU Indoor Tournament, posting a 0-0 draw against Utah Valley University and falling 2-1 against Dixie. Utah native Laura Benson prevented a scoreless trip to Provo with a goal five minutes from time.

Gonzaga Women begin spring slate against WSU March 23, host 7v7 April 27

Teams from throughout the region gather at GU for annual 7-v-7 event | Photos: Gerald Barnhart

The Gonzaga women are just over a week away from kicking off their spring slate of friendlies, which will be capped off by their annual 7-v-7 event featuring schools around the region and alumni.

College Recap - WCC & PAC-12: Cougars top Huskies, hope for NCAA spot

The Gonzaga women wrapped up their campaign with a thumping of nearby rival Eastern Washington in a non-conference match-up while Washington State continued its run of dominance over state rival Washington, hoping that an NCAA tournament berth is in the future with a 12-6-1 overall record. 

College Recap - WCC & PAC-12: Rough week for Gonzaga, WSU sweeps Oregon duo

The Gonzaga women wrapped up their final homestand with a split, blanking Loyola Marymount and falling narrowly to Pepperdine. The Bulldog men were winless on their trip to California. Washington State heads into the state derby on the heels of a pair of victories over their Oregon neighbors.

College Recap - WCC & PAC-12: Tough trips west for Gonzaga, Washington State

While the Gonzaga men were idle with the rest of the conference, the lady Zags as well as the Washington State women faced two tough trips to the coast, each facing a pair of nationally ranked opponents. The Cougars nearly pulled off an upset against second-ranked Stanford, but both sides returned home without a point. 

INW Collegiate Recap - WCC & Pac-12: GU ladies alter history with Portland; WSU drubs USC

Though they did not get a win this weekend, the Gonzaga women made a little history, registering their first-ever point against Portland after losing all 20 previous contests between the two sides. The men, meanwhile, fell at home to Saint Mary's on narrowly on the road to Santa Clara. Washington State dominated USC, 4-0, to remain in the top half of the conference table.  

INW Collegiate Recap: Close contests for WSU, Gonzaga in PAC-12, WCC

It was a week of close contests in the West Coast Conference. Six of the seven matches were decided by one goal, including three that finished in overtime. Gonzaga came up on the short side of one overtime match, falling at Loyola Marymount, and was on the wrong side of the game decided by two goals, dropping its match in San Diego. Two games into the conference portion of the campaign, only Santa Clara and Portland remain unbeaten.

The women’s side of the WCC was just as competitive over the weekend with all four conference games and a non-conference contest being decided by a goal or less, including the overtime loss Gonzaga suffered at home versus Saint Mary’s. Portland, which has yet to open conference play, fell narrowly to 10th-ranked San Diego State of the MWC.

In the Pac-12, A goal directly off a corner kick was the only thing keeping Washington State from two shutout performances on the weekend at home against the two schools from Arizona. The loss to the Sun Devils keeps the Cougars mid-table with Stanford, UCLA and California leaping out to commanding leads just five games into the conference campaign.

Week 6 Collegiate INW Best XI – Women

For games through Sunday, September 23. Vote for the Player of the Week on the INW Facebook page. If you Like the INW page, the vote counts double. Deadline is Wednesday, 8:00 pm PT.

Conference Play Preview – Pac-12 Conference

WOMEN - The Washington State women are the lone INW team in the Pac-12 for men or women. The Cougars kick off their conference campaign September 20 on the road against UCLA with a quick non-conference match the following Wednesday at Santa Clara before finishing out the conference slate.

Week 5 Collegiate INW Best XI – Women

For games through Sunday, September 16. Next week a new feature will debut, giving you an opportunity to select the Players of the Week via Facebook.

INWsoccernews.com WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE WEEK

F - Cassie Black (Battle Ground, WA) – Eastern Washington :: It was difficult to choose over Montignani’s pair of hat-tricks, but Black was crucial against two quality opponents. She struck for a goal and an assist as the Eagles defeated the University of Idaho Friday and tallied the game-winner in a 2-1 victory against the University of Hawaii Sunday.

Around the Rankings - September 18

 A number of Inland Northwest teams highlight the national rankings for the various collegiate divisions. Here is a look around at the three main polls/rankings from the NSCAA, Soccer America, D3soccer.com and Top Drawer Soccer, which incorporates its projection of the tournament fields into its ranking.

Around the Rankings

A number of Inland Northwest teams highlight the national rankings for the various collegiate divisions. Here is a look around at the three main polls/rankings from the NSCAA, Soccer America and Top Drawer Soccer, which incorporates its projection of the tournament fields into its ranking.

Gonzaga women complete sweep in Tennessee; Whitworth, EWU, WSU recaps

Aside from the Gonzaga men playing host to the Gonzaga Nike Classic, the remaining schools around the east side of Washington were on the road. The Zag ladies won their second on the road in Tennessee while Washington State and Eastern Washington suffered losses, falling in California to nationally-ranked Duke and at Wyoming, respectively. The Whitworth men picked up a win in Minnesota while the ladies lost to nationally-ranked California Lutheran.