Box Score

BELLINGHAM (Oct. 21) -- Central Washington University junior Serena Tomaso (Enumclaw) recorded her seventh goal of the season for the women's soccer team as the Wildcats tied the Western Washington University Vikings, 1-1, at Orca Field in Bellingham on Thursday night.

With the tie, the Wildcats stand at 4-8-2, 4-5-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. It also keeps their record in Bellingham even over the past four years at 1-1-2. The Vikings are now 9-2-3 overall and remain tied for second in the GNAC at 6-2-2.

The first half saw minimal action as the two teams combined for just five shots, four for Western to Central's one.

"The first half was a middle-of-the-field battle," said CWU head coach Michael Farrand. "Unfortunately, they snuck one past us, and we gave away an easy goal."

Tomaso scored the equalizing goal in the 66th minute. Senior Kaycie Hutchins (Port Orchard/Bellarmine Prep) served a pass near the goal and Tomaso worked her way through the Viking defenders to tap the ball into goal. Hutchins was credited for her team-leading fifth assist of the season, while Tomaso continued her efficient offensive results with her seventh goal in eight on-goal shots (and 16 total shot attempts) in 2010.

"Our girls battled back," Farrand said. "We played very well in the second half -- it was like night and day compared to the first."

Freshman goalkeeper Kori Butterfield (Duvall/Cedarcrest HS) returned to action after missing the last two games, and recorded five saves in the contest, including one in each of the two ten-minute overtime periods.

The Wildcats will cap off their two-game road trip with a contest in Burnaby, British Columbia, this Saturday (Oct. 23) against Simon Fraser at 11 a.m.