ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Nov. 3) – The Central Washington University soccer team fell in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference semi-finals to Seattle Pacific University, 2-0.
A pair of second half goals from Maddie Krauss and Hannah Huesers gave the Falcons their victory.
"Great first half and start to the game," CWU Head Coach Mike Farrand said. "We played solid all year against them. SPU is as team that if you don't put them away they will create chances and finish."
The Wildcats opened the match with a pair of quick chances, from
Bailey Martoncik and
Keilin Farrand, but both were driven wide.
Whitney Lowe and
Molly Mortensen fired another pair of shots, but could not capitalize just a few minutes prior to the 20
th minute.
The 23
rd minute gave the Wildcats' a corner and Farrand's service found the head of Mortensen, but her header whistled wide.
As time expired in the first half
Jessica Haga ripped a shot, but did not convert.
Krauss' goal came in the 55
th minute. Brooke Lancaster broke into the box and sent a ball to Asia Cayetano. Cayetano tipped the ball towards Krauss who beat
Emily Holt bottom right.
The Wildcats tried to find the equalizer and found a few opportunities, but Molly Stinson turned them away at each offering.
Huesers found the insurance in the 80
th minute. She broke down the right wing and beat Holt bottom left.
"We gave up a goal and were able to battle back mentally," Farrand noted. "Then pulled a defender to try and get some more offense going and gave up a second one. At that point it was pretty much a heartbreaker."
Central Washington upped their attack, looking for a quick response. The Wildcats earned a corner in the 90
th minute, but nothing came of the chance.
Stinson finished with three saves for SPU.
The Wildcats now await the final regional rankings for a chance to try their hand at the NCAA postseason.
"I'm proud of what we did and getting back to the GNACs," Farrand finished. "We are excited to see what lies ahead for us over the next couple weeks."
