Washington State Women's Soccer Preview: The Defense Looks For a Breakout in 2024

2023's Cougar defense was solid but not elite. With another year of experience under their belt, this is a group that could surprise people in 2024.

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While the Cougars need to improve their scoring in 2024, defense was a strength for the team last season. The team allowed 26 goals in 2023, and will return a few of the big names from last year's team.

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Reese Tappan is the most prominent returning starter. Tappan started in all 19 games for the Cougars. She finished 2023 with three assists, and has a fantastic touch for picking off opponent passes and setting up a big play.

Another returning player to keep an eye on is Bryana Pizarro. Pizarro started 11 games last season, and has experience in the Puerto Rican National Team program. Georgia Whitehead will also be back. While her time on the field was limited last season, Whitehead showed off the ability to deliver some devastating passes to WSU's forwards.

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The Cougars situation in goal will probably be stable. Nadia Cooper started 18 games in 2023 and will be back this season. Coooper allowed 1.44 goals per game last year, so there's room for improvement, but her experience will be invaluable for the Cougars.

If the Cougars do want to make a change in goal, Liya Brooks will be the player to watch. Brooks has come up through the Jamaican National Program, and has recently started playing with the Senior team. While this season Cooper will still be the main starter, Brooks could be WSU's keeper of the future.

The season is now underway, and while game one didn't go the Cougars' way, we still got a good look at what this year's squad will look like. Holding Purdue to 1one goal is a pretty good start, now the Cougars just need the goals to start showing up.