MONMOUTH, Ore. (Oct. 3) – Central Washington University forward Cassie Ripley scored her third goal of the season in the 20^th minute, but the soccer team was unable to hold on to its early lead losing to Western Oregon University Saturday afternoon 1-2 at the WOU Soccer Field.
 
The Wildcats fall to 3-6 on the season and 1-3 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play, while the Wolves improve to 5-3-1, 1-2-1 in the GNAC.
 
A first half shot by Reilly Retz was blocked by the WOU defense and set up a Wildcat corner kick.  Keilin Farrand handled the set piece for the Wildcats and found Ripley who sneaked a goal to the right of the goalkeeper and into the left side of the net.
 
The Wildcats held the 1-0 through halftime and for nearly 38 minutes of play before Makana Pundyke scored in the 57^th minute off a lose ball in front of the CWU net to knot the match at 1-1.
 
Less than six minutes later Pundyke found goal again, this time off a corner kick with assists going to Dana Goularde and Kealakekua Makekau to give Western Oregon a 2-1 lead.
 
The Wildcats had multiple chances to score and equalizing goal the first came off a header from Retz, which led to a corner kick for CWU.  Farrand's corner kick landed at the feet of Allie Bohnett, but her shot attempt sailed just high of the goal.
 
In the 82^nd minute the Kaysha Darcy unloaded a shot off another CWU corner kick, and was blocked by the WOU defense.
 
The Wildcats final two shots of the game were both on goal with Lauren Duty and Farrand each getting opportunities that were saved by WOU goalkeeper Lindsey Mabinuori.
 
Central Washington outshot Western Oregon 16-15 with Darcy leading CWU with four shots, followed by Retz with three.
 
The soccer team will next take on Western Washington Univesity on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. in Bellingham, followed by an Oct. 10 matchup with Saint Martin's in Ellensburg at 11 a.m.