BILLINGS, Mont. (Oct. 31) – The Central Washington University soccer team had its late bid for the final Great Northwest Athletic Conference playoff spot ended by Montana State University Billings, 1-0.
 
Central entered Billings needing a victory to join the playoff tournament in Burnaby, B.C. next weekend.
 
The Wildcats close the season with a 7-9-1 overall record and a 5-6-1 mark in GNAC play.  Central Washington was 4-1-1, in their last six matches, heading into today's match. 
 
"It's a disappointing result after a strong second half of the season to get in the mix," CWU Head Coach Michael Farrand said. 
 
The Yellowjackets tallied the contest's lone goal in the 49^th minute.  Alycia Wright took a pass from Dana Lubieniecki and beat CWU keeper Sydney Williams just inside the box.
 
"We have had a tough time on the road this season and we got behind," M. Farrand noted.
 
Trailing by a goal in the final minutes, the Wildcats pushed higher up the pitch, but the Yellowjackets' defense cleared the lines, parrying each attack with a long ball back into the Wildcats' end and forcing Central to reset. 


The Wildcats pressed forward late in the match, but did not find an equalizer.  Laruen Duty had a shot blocked in the 78^th minute and Allie Bohnett's shot was pushed aside by Chloe Hopps in the 81^st minute. 
 
Central got a late corner kick in the 90^th minute, but the Yellowjackets were able to clear their lines and preserve the victory.
 
The Wildcats took ten shots, three on goal, and had five corners.
 
"It is tough to see our seniors' careers end," M. Farrand said afterward.  "Cassie [Ripley] has had such a good season for us, Aubrey [Rodgers] has done great this year.  It's disappointing we couldn't get them back into the playoffs one more time."
 
Duty came off the bench for CWU and took three shots, one of which was on net.  Bohnett and Retz each put a shot on goal. 
 
Williams made a pair of saves.
 
Whitney Lowe and Cassie Ripley finish the season tied for the most goals scored with five.  Mackenzie Nolte led the Wildcats with six assists.  Lowe and Nolte finished the season with 15 and 14 points respectively.