BELLINGHAM, Wash. (Oct. 22) – The Central Washington University soccer team battled No. 1 Western Washington in a Saturday night rivalry matchup in Bellingham in a 4-1 loss.  The Wildcats fall to 12-3-1 overall and 7-2-1 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  The Vikings are now 10-0-0 in the GNAC and 14-0-1 on the year.
 
"We began the game with great intentions, but we weren't quite ready to start the game," CWU Head Coach Mike Farrand said afterward.  "They came at us and we gave up a penalty to start the game, which Emily stopped.  It was the response we needed, but we couldn't get our offense going."
 
The Vikings found no lack of chances in the first half and capitalized twice.  In the sixth minute Western was awarded a penalty.  Becca Cates penalty attempt was handled by Emily Holt for her first save of the contest.
 
Gabriela Pelogi found the back of the net first for Western in the 20^th minute.  Her initial shot was blocked, but Pelogi collected the rebound and finished the opportunity from close range.
 
Ten minutes later Liv Larson took a through ball from 15 yards out and lofted it over Holt for a 2-0 advantage.
 
The Vikings accumulated chances in the first half, finishing with 10 shots in the first 45 minutes. 
 
Central Washington's offense started clicking in the second half.  Just five minutes into the second Abbie Litka beat Ashley Homer on a headed effort, cutting the Vikings lead to just 2-1, for her first goal of the season.
 
The Vikings gained breathing room in the 70^th minute.  Mariah Roggow's header found the back of the net, giving Western a 3-1 lead.
 
"We created a great goal in the second half," Farrand noted.   "Abbie was able to finish a great ball in off of a corner kick."
 
Litka's goal was the first against the Vikings since Oct. 1, when Concordia's Bobbi Eckler beat Homer in the 70^th minute.  It is the first time the Vikings have been held to under 20 shots at home since Sept. 22 against Bridgeport.
 
An intercepted pass in the 88^th minute gave the Vikings possession and Elise Aylward made good on the opportunity.  Her chipped shot from the top of the box bounded over the goal line for the Vikings' fourth goal of the game.
 
Holt finished with three saves.  The Wildcats finished with six shots.
 
The Wildcats have clinched a spot in the GNAC playoffs and have two games remaining on the season as they jostle for a high spot in the conference table.  They are currently second in the GNAC standings.
 
"We made some mistakes and got punished for it," Farrand acknowledged.  "It is a great test for us moving forward as we near the GNAC playoffs.  We needed a hard game to get us refocused."
 
Central Washington is back in action on Thursday (Oct. 27) as the Wildcats take on Concordia University in Portland, Oregon.