ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Sept. 1) – The Central Washington University soccer team recorded its first win of the season, which is also the first win for Central athletics and for Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's soccer.  The Wildcats outdueled San Francisco State University, 2-1, with goals from Keilin Farrand and Emily Seelbach.
 
The win is also the first victory of any sport for the GNAC amongst schools in the 48 contiguous states.
 
San Francisco State's Autumn Fox took the contest's first shot in the seventh minute, but freshman goalkeeper Emily Holt turned the shot aside.  The Wildcats' Seelbach put up Central's first attempt.
 
The Gators struck first in the 16^th minute.  Autumn Fox found the back of the net for her first goal of the season. 
 
In the 25^th minute, the Wildcats levelled the score. Farrand put her first goal of the season put SFSU keeper Arianna Wesley.
 
"Kei picked up the loose ball about 30 yards away and went upper v away," CWU Head Coach Michael Farrand said.
 
The chances escalated late in the first half for both sides.
 
Kennedy Anson had her shot saved by Wesley in the 31^st, before Mackenzie Nolte's attempt was also stopped by the Gators' last line of defense in the 33^rd. 
 
San Francisco State's Taylor Halstenson pushed a shot wide right in the 38^th minute. 
 
The two sides went into the half level at 1-1.
 
The first ten minutes of the second half were relatively quiet, each team registering just one shot.  The Gators' offense worked deep into the Wildcats' end in the 58^th minute, creating three shots and one corner kick.  Holt was able to push two of the shots aside, keeping the score line even.
 
It wasn't until the 75^th minute that the game's level status changed.  Whitney Lowe found Seelbach with a pass, who then blasted it past Wesley for a 2-1 advantage.
 
"Game winner for Emmi, first goal for Kei, and a great start for us," Farrand noted.  "For us to get a win against a good team and to play as well as we did it's a great start to the season."
 
Holding the 2-1 advantage was not easy, however.  In the 80^th minute, an odd-man breakout for the Gators drew Emily Holt out of her box.  The freshman keeper impeded an attack and was issued a caution. 
 
"We had a frantic 20 minutes in the middle of the second half and found our way back. We played a great game," Farrand acknowledged.  "SFSU will be a good team in the CCAA."

Drawing off the foul, the Gators forced two shots and three corners.  The Wildcats defense held strong and was able to weather the storm.
 
"We defended really well and got to every ball really well," Farrand said. "Jessica Haga, Allie Bohnett, and Meghan Ward on the back line were great today.  Our seniors stepped up when we needed them to."
 
The victory over SFSU is the first time since 2007 the Wildcats have opened with a road victory. In 2007, the Central defeated Hawaii Pacific 3-0.
 
"If you look at the chances they got, aside from a few, they were from away," Farrand added.  "Our defense did a good job.  For the girls to come out and beat a good team like that, it's the way you want to start a season.  Meghan was our player of the match today.  The tackles she won and how hard she played were key for us.  She went up against a tough forward and really limited her impact."
 
The Wildcats are back in action on Saturday (Sept. 3) as they take on Sonoma State on the road.  Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.