ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Oct. 15) – The Central Washington University soccer team fell to No. 2 Western Washington University by a score of 1-0.  The Wildcats are now 4-8-0 on the season, with a 2-5-0 record in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  The Vikings move to 12-1-0 on the season and 7-0-0 in GNAC play.
 
The Vikings got the first chance of the match in the ninth minute.  Central goalkeeper Sydney Williams came out to challenge WWU's Savanna Moorehouse as she entered the 18.  Moorehouse drove a shot wide of the left post.
 
"We started a little slow and allowed a good chance early," CWU Head Coach Michael Farrand said.  "But, we were able to settle down and play even after 20 minutes."
 
Western Washington finished the match with 12 shots, six on net. 
 
The Wildcats took a trio of corners in the first half, but did not find the back of the net.  
 
A save in the 43^rd minute by Williams kept the score at level pegging as the teams headed into the half.  She finished with five saves.
 
Central Washington opened the second half with a corner in the 48^th minute, but the Viking defense was able to clear the lines and push the Wildcats' attack back.  Central finished with six corners, while the Vikings had just three.
 
Gabriela Pelogi notched the game's only goal in the 76^th minute.  After a strong battle in the box following a service, Pelogi was able to push a shot past Williams on the far post.  Pelogi's shot was the last shot the Vikings took.
 
The Wildcats outshot No. 2 Western 6-4 in the second half.
 
"Travis has done a great job with his team," Farrand added.  "We don't necessarily look at their ranking, but rather their quality of play and how we play against them.  If we continue to keep our level of play up we have a good chance of getting points in this late stretch."
 
The Wildcats pushed an extra attacker forward in the waning minutes, trying to find a goal.  Whitney Lowe and Mackenzie Nolte were able to add pressure to the Vikings' backline, but they could not convert.
 
"Whit and Mack are exciting players," Farrand said afterward.  "They're both young, fast players.  I look forward to watching them grow and seeing what they can accomplish in their careers."
 
The Wildcats are currently on the outside of the GNAC playoff picture, but can play themselves into the tournament with a strong showing in the final five games of the season. 
 
"Now we go down to NNU and they're always tough at home," Farrand noted.  "But, you know, last year we found our stride at the end of the season.  If we do that again, I don't think there will be many teams that want to face us in the postseason."
 
The Wildcats drubbed the Crusaders in Ellensburg, 6-2, in the last contest between the two sides.
 
"We just need to keep playing our game and come back strong as a team," Retz added.   "We have a chance to go to the postseason and we just need to play strong."
 
Lauren Duty, Aubrey Rodgers, and Shaina Mitchell each had a shot on goal. 
 
Central Washington will travel to Northwest Nazarene on Saturday (Oct. 17).  Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.