ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Sept. 1) – The Central Washington University soccer team will kick off its season on Sept. 3 against Sonoma State University in Ellensburg.  This will be the first time the Wildcats have been at home for their opener since 2008.  Central Washington will then play San Francisco State University on Sept. 5.
 
"I'm not sure we know what that feeling is like, after opening on the road for so long," head coach Michael Farrand said on being able to open at home for the first time since 2008.  "I'm excited to open our season at home because we haven't done it in so long and we don't have to face the burden of travel.  Our fans get the ability to come out watch us play, we have such a great fan and alumni base and I'm glad they get a chance to come out and see us play early at home."
 
The Wildcats are 1-3 historically against Sonoma State.  Central Washington won the teams' last meeting in 2011.  The match went to overtime and the Wildcats came away with a 2-1 victory.  In Ellensburg, Central Washington is 0-2 against the Seawolves with both games finishing with a one-goal differential.
 
"Sonoma has a great program, the last few years under Emiria [Dunn]," Farrand said.  "They have been a perennial contender and having an opportunity to play a contender in the opener gives us the ability to show our potential to win a championship early in the year."
 
Central Washington is 1-6-1 all-time against San Francisco State University with the last win coming in 2007 for the Wildcats.  Central is 1-2 against the Gators in Ellensburg.  Four games between the two teams have gone to overtime.
 
"San Francisco State has a new coach [Tracy Hamm] after the retirement of Jack Hyde, who was an institution for the Gators for over 30 years," Farrand said.  "We are excited to play the Gators. They have always been a great team and a chance for us to play at home, hopefully gives us a leg up and a chance to win."
 
The Wildcats finished the 2014 season 8-8-3, losing only one game in their final six regular season matches.  At home, Central was 3-3-1 on the CWU Soccer Field.
 
Sophomore midfielder Mackenzie Nolte will look to find the back of the cage after she led the Wildcats with eight goals during her freshman campaign.  Nolte finished the season with eight goals and three assists for 19 total points.
 
Kick-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. against Sonoma State on Thursday, Sept. 3.  On Saturday, Sept. 5, kick-off will be at noon against San Francisco State University.