Box Score

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. (Sept. 3) -- Central Washington University senior Miranda Heslep (Bellingham/Meridian HS) scored with just 35 seconds left in the first overtime to give the Wildcat women's soccer team a 2-1 victory over Sonoma State University giving the Wildcats their first win of the 2011 campaign.

With the win the Wildcats improve to 1-0-1 on the season, while the Seawolves, of the California Collegiate Athletic Association, fall to 0-2-0.

“We survived another one,” CWU head coach Michael Farrand said. “We didn't play well in the first half, but as the game progressed, so did we.”

The Seawolves took a 1-0 advantage in the 28th minute on a goal by Ashley Martin. Central answered back less than two minutes later when freshman Hadli Farrand (Ellensburg) found junior Carson McKole (Oak Harbor), who fought off a defender and scored on a ricochet off the left post to even the score.

The Wildcats were outshot 21-7 in regulation, but were able to hold on to the 1-1 deadlock and force overtime. CWU had a good opportunity to score with seconds to go in the second half, but senior Brittany Franks' (Yakima/West Valley HS) shot hit off the goal post.

Central Washington outshot SSU 3-2 in the overtime period, with all three coming in the final 39 seconds. The Wildcats earned a corner kick off a shot by Franks, who also kicked the set piece. Franks dropped the ball near the SSU net and CWU freshman Taylor Stanley (Mukilteo/Kamiak HS) took a shot that was cleared by a Seawolves defender. Heslep headed the cleared ball from 10 yards out and scored to end the game and give Central the final 2-1 advantage.

“The final corner kick was executed the way it should be, and Miranda (Heslep) was in the right spot to score the goal,” Farrand explained.

Central Washington will wrap up its northern California road trip against San Francisco State on Monday, Sept. 5 at 2 p.m. before returning to Ellensburg next Thursday (Sept. 8) when the Wildcats play host to Northwest University at 5 p.m.