ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Sept. 13) – Mackenzie Nolte's 41^st-minute goal lifted the Central Washington University soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Northwest University, extending the Wildcats' winning-streak to a record 5-0-0.  The Eagles fall to 4-2-0. 
 
An abundance of opportunities netted just one goal for the Wildcats, but it was all they needed. 
 
"For us, we really talked about what we talked about with Dominican, which is the pace," CWU Head Coach Mike Farrand said.  "When we don't have a lot of pressure on us we tend to play slower, which leads to us getting a bit too vertical.  We created a lot of chances and we were able to get one through."
 
The first opportunity came in the fifth minute when Kaysha Darcy pushed a shot wide.  Keilin Farrand followed a minute later with a shot of her own. 
 
A corner in the 11^th minute lead to a header by Jessica Haga that went wide.
 
Defensively, Haga had upwards of 10 clearances.  The Wildcats back line forced the Eagles offense to the perimeter for the duration of the match. 
 
"We said it last year that Allie Bohnett is probably the best two in the region and I have no problem saying Haga is the best center back we have ever had at Central," Farrand added.  "The maturity of the back line has been great."
 
Freshman goalkeeper Emily Holt turned her first shot away in the 19^th minute; she finished with three saves.
 
The Wildcats had a prime opportunity in the 19^th minute.  Nolte found her way past the defense, but she was whistled for offsides. 
 
Central dominated play from the 30^th minute on.  The Wildcats recorded four corners and five shots from the 30^th to the 41^st minute.
 
In the 41^st minute, the Wildcats capitalized on their possession.  Whitney Lowe took possession on the wing in the attacking third, working the ball inward towards the box.  She played a through ball onto the boot of Nolte who pushed past Northwest's center back and beat the keeper, cementing a 1-0 advantage.
 
The Eagles found a few more scoring chances in the second than in the first half, but Central's center backs Haga and Emily Minogue repeatedly forced clearances. 
 
Northwest looked to play through balls over the top of the Wildcats' defense, but each attempt was countered by Central. 
 
The Wildcats took four corners in the second, each creating a narrow miss. 
 
Kennedy Anson only just missed doubling the Wildcats' lead in the 62^nd minute.  Anson got past the Eagles' defense and keeper Ashlyn Juul came out to challenge.  Anson got past Juul, but Victoria Rice got into position and deflected Anson's shot out of play.
 
Northwest's final shot came in the 62^nd minute.  Central's defense closed the Eagles out of the attacking zone, forcing recoils each time Northwest crossed the center of the pitch.
 
The Wildcats take on No. 6 UC San Diego on Friday (Sept. 16) at noon in Ellensburg.
 
"We have to change a few things attacking wise and be a bit more deliberate in the final third, rather than blow past people before UCSD," Farrand finished.