Any way you cut it, going undefeated in nonconference play is a solid start. The Cougs finished the job against Seattle U, hanging on for a 2-1 win when things got tight late. That's the kind of result that builds trust in a squad, even if the final stretch had a few more nerves than anyone wanted. After watching the team drop a tough one to Long Beach State hands Cougs an L, no Palouse magic this time, it's good to see them close out a game that could have slipped away. That earlier loss showed how quickly momentum can turn when you don't lock things down, so holding on here matters more than the margin.
What stands out is the balance. The Cougs have shown they can win different ways. Against Duquesne, it was a Second-half avalanche buries Duquesne as Cougs roll 48-7 that took the drama out early. Against Seattle U, it was a grind where every goal had to count. That versatility is useful when you hit conference play and don't know what kind of game you'll get. The team also cleaned up early in the weekend by locking in the Doubles point locked in early as Cougs clean up to open the weekend, showing they can set the tone from the start. It's not flashy, but it's reliable.
Here's the take you can text a friend: this team doesn't beat itself. Nonconference clean means they handled the games they should have handled and survived the one that got close. That's not nothing. It means the coaching staff has them prepared, and the players trust the system when the other team pushes back. The real test starts now, but you'd rather walk into that with a clean sheet than a split.
The one thing to watch is whether the offense can stay sharp when the defense has an off night. Seattle U made it interesting. Conference opponents will make it harder. If the Cougs can keep scoring early like they did against Duquesne, and hold the line like they did against Seattle U, they'll be in every match. That's the standard now. Go Cougs.