PORTLAND, Ore. (Sept. 15) – The Central Washington University soccer team took No. 6 UC San Diego to overtime in its final non-conference match of the season.  The Tritons found the overtime winner for a 2-1 victory.  The Wildcats are now 5-1-0 on the year, while UC San Diego is 4-2-0.
 
"We probably couldn't ask for a better start with a corner that results in a goal against the number six team in the nation to start the game," CWU Head Coach Mike Farrand said afterward.    "They are a team that knows how to grind it out and they did."
 
Keilin Farrand opened the scoring early.  Kaysha Darcy fired a shot late in the fifth minute that was blocked, but the Wildcats gained a corner.  Farrand's corner found the far post and gave Central a 1-0 lead.
 
The Wildcats' lead held into the 39^th minute.  Mary Reilly crashed hard into the near post area and was challenged by freshman keeper Emily Holt.  Reilly toppled over a sliding Holt and sent the ball careening off the side of the net.  The official awarded a penalty to the Tritons.  Meghan Berry converted the penalty and leveled the score.
 
The 73^rd minute saw the second penalty awarded to UCSD, this time for a handball inside the box.  Reilly took the penalty, her shot aimed to the right of Holt.  Holt bolted to her right and snagged the would-be go-ahead goal.
 
A pair of Triton corner kicks in the 82^nd minute were denied by blocked shots from the Wildcats' backline.
 
Regulation ended at 1-1 and the teams headed into golden goal overtime. 
 
Mackenzie Nolte got a chance early, streaking through the center of the pitch and cutting past a pair of defenders.  Her shot went low on UCSD goalkeeper Itzel Gonzalez, who was able to smother the shot.
 
The Tritons found the game winner in the 95^th minute.  The Wildcats looked to recover for an offensive rush, but a turnover stymied their plan.  The turnover led to a service from Jordyn McNutt.  The cross was headed goalward by Katie O'Laughton and it beat Holt.
 
"We pride ourselves on possession and a ball control team," Farrand added.  "Even into the second half there were times where we turned the ball over or missed a pass.  UCSD is a great team, but I don't think we played to the level we are capable of playing to today."
 
Farrand's goal was her second of the season. Holt made eight saves.
 
The Wildcats open Great Northwest Athletic Conference play on Thursday (Sept. 22) at home against Simon Fraser.  Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.