ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Sept 22.) – The Central Washington University soccer team fell in its Great Northwest Athletic Conference opener against Simon Fraser University, 2-0.  The Wildcats are now 5-2-0 on the year and 0-1-0 in GNAC play.  The Clan improves to 3-1-0 on the year and 1-0-0 in GNAC contests.
 
"They were the better team today," CWU Head Coach Michael Farrand said afterward.  "They were able to finish.  It wasn't the outcome we wanted to start the conference season."
 
The Wildcats and the Clan played to a scoreless first half, with chances a plenty on both sides.  Central had four corners in the opening 45 minutes, but could not capitalize.  Simon Fraser forced freshman goalkeeper Emily Holt to record four saves in the first half. 
 
Simon Fraser found the scoreboard within the first three minutes of the second half.  Emma Pringle went up the left wing, winning a 1-on-1 battle with a defender and beat Holt for a 1-0 advantage. 
 
The Wildcats got a chance to level the score in the 58^th minute.  Whitney Lowe blasted a shot on goal that was parried by Simon Fraser keeper Priya Sandhu. 
 
In the 71^st minute, a Central corner set up a shot by Allie Bohnett that was went wide of the goa.
 
Simon Fraser capitalized again in the 75^th minute.  Olivia Aguiar picked up a turnover, won a 1-on-1 battle and found the back of the net. 
 
The Wildcats pushed attackers forward for the final 15 minutes, but could not find the score sheet.
 
Mackenzie Nolte's shot in the 82^nd minute was saved by Sandhu, keeping the 2-0 advantage intact.  Nolte had another chance in the 88^th minute that was also turned aside.  
 
The Wildcats have two corners in the final six minutes, but neither amounted to a goal.
 
Central finished with 10 shots, four of which were on goal. Holt made eight saves in the contest.  Kelsey Bechtholdt made her first appearance of the season, after replacing Holt in the first half following a minor injury.  Holt returned to the contest in the second half.
 
The Wildcats are on the road Saturday (Sept. 24) against Seattle Pacific University.
 
"We need to refocus for our game against SPU," Farrand added.  "We've had some good results down there recently.  We are chasing three points now, so putting up a strong effort on the road will help get us back to where we need to be."
 
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PDT.