No. 23 Washington State scores six first-half goals, routs James Madison

Makamae Gomera-Stevens scored a goal just 21 seconds into the match and the 23rd-ranked Washington State Cougars (3-0) breezed to a 6-3 nonconference victory over the James Madison Dukes (1-2) on Sunday in Pullman.

Gomera-Stevens’ goal ignited a six-goal first half with freshman MacKenzie Frimpong-Ellertson stretching the lead to 2-0 with a goal at the 9:39 mark. WSU followed with two straight goals by Averie Collins and a penalty-kick goal by Shayna Whieldon by the 24:16 mark. The Cougars’ final tally came on an own goal for a 6-1 lead at the half. The six first-half goals were the most by WSU since scoring seven in the first half at Montana in 2002.

The Cougs’ picked up their first win over JMU in three tries. WSU has outscored its three opponents, all of which were 2018 NCAA Tournament teams, 16-3, their best three-game start since scoring 17 goals in 1991.