Women's Soccer | 10/19/2016 3:20:00 PM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Oct. 19) – The Central Washington University women's soccer team was ranked third in the West Region in the first NCAA Regional Ranking of the season.  The 11-2-1 Wildcats take on Northwest Nazarene and Western Washington this week, as their season winds towards a close.
 
"Senior day is always a very special day for us," CWU Head Coach Mike Farrand said.  "In recognizing the lives and careers, the impact of girls that have done great things on and off the field."
 
The Wildcats will honor Allie Bohnett, Kaysha Darcy, Keilin Farrand, Jessica Haga, Reilly Retz, and Meghan Ward prior to kickoff against Northwest Nazarene on Thursday.
 
"It's a big week for us with Senior Day on Thursday and then we make the turnaround and play the number one team in the country in Bellingham," Farrand added.  "Travis has done a great job building a strong program."
 
The Crusaders enter the week at 3-10-0 overall and 1-7-0 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  On the road, NNU has posted an 0-5-0 record away from home.
 
Madi Taylor leads the Crusaders' offense with four goals and eight points. 
 
In net, Danielle Ortiz has posted one clean sheet.  She has a goals against average of 2.31 and has made 75 saves.
 
Northwest Nazarene has scored only 12 times this year, while opponents have tallied 30 times.
 
Kickoff against the Crusaders is scheduled for 3 p.m., with Senior Day activities beginning at 2:45 p.m.
 
Western Washington enters the week as the number one team in both the West Region and in Division II.
 
The Vikings are 13-0-1 on the year, including an 8-0-0 record in the GNAC.  The lone non-victory Western has accumulated came on September 1^st against Sonoma State, whom the Wildcats defeated 1-0. 
 
Elise Aylward and Gabriela Pelogi have each notched 13 points.  Aylward has scored five times and recorded three helpers.  Leading the Vikings' offense in scoring is Caitlyn Jobankek with six goals.  Western has beat opposing keepers 34 times and allowed just four.
 
Ashley Homer has handled the vast majority of time in goal for the Vikings.  In 14 games Homer has recorded 19 saves and nine clean sheets.  She has allowed just three goals.
 
"We have had great games against them in the past," Farrand said.  "I think our style of play crates problems for them and we look to find the matchups that present opportunities for us."
 
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday in Bellingham.