BELLINGHAM, Wash. (Nov. 12) – The Central Washington University soccer team's historic 2016 came to an end following a 2-0 loss to No 1 Western Washington University in the second round of the NCAA West Regionals.
 
"It's the end of a fabulous year against the number one team in the country," CWU Head Coach Michael Farrand said.  "Losing Karlee as the six today hurt us defensively.  WE gave up that early goal 30 seconds in to the game and a bad corner.  In the second half we spent most of it in their half.  Western is the premier program on the west coast and the number one in the country."
 
The Vikings took less than 30 seconds to find the scoreboard, pushing down the right wing and sending a service low across the box.  Liv Larson fired it into the back of the net for a 1-0 advantage.
 
The third minute saw another opportunity for the Vikings.  Western Washington drew a penalty, but Emily Holt parried the penalty attempt.
 
Elise Aylward gave the Vikings insurance marker in the 17^th minute, scoring directly off a corner.
 
Holt came up big in the 18^th minute, stopping a shot from Emily Webster.
 
Keilin Farrand got the Wildcats' best chance of the first half in the 27^th minute.  Farrand gathered a loose ball and unleashed a shot that missed wide.
 
Holt made a pair of consecutive saves in the 30^th minute, preserving the score.
 
The 32^nd minute saw another pressing attack from Western Washington, but Central Washington held and alleviated the danger. 
 
The 2-0 score line stood at the end of the first half.
 
Western Washington opened the second half on attack, forcing Holt to make another save in the 48^th minute. 
 
The Wildcats earned their first corner in the 61^st minute.  Farrand's corner found Whitney Lowe in the box. Vikings keeper Ashley Homer handled the junior midfielder's shot and kept the score at 2-0.
                                                                                
Lowe got two more chance in the 75^th and 81^st minute and again Homer kept the Wildcats off the scoreboard.
 
The Wildcats set a school record for most regular season wins (13), their first-ever NCAA postseason appearance, and the program's first postseason win.
 
 
"For us a program and for us as young ladies and as a coaching staff, we went some place we have never been," Farrand noted.  "The legacy of the seniors Allie, Reilly, Kei, Haga, Kaysha, and Meghan, as a senior setting the single season record in wins and first regional appearance, it's a great legacy for those girls."