ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Oct. 17) – The Central Washington University women's soccer team returns to action on Thursday (Oct. 19) and Saturday (Oct. 21) for a pair of Great Northwest Athletic Conference matches.  The Wildcats host Northwest Nazarene on Thursday, before travelling to Bellingham to take on No. 2 Western Washington on Saturday.
 
KICK-OFF
Thursday vs Northwest Nazarene – 3:00 p.m.
Saturday at No. 2 Western Washington – 2:00 p.m.
 
FOLLOW LIVE
Live Stats/Video vs NNU
Live Stats/Video at WWU
 
QUOTABLES
"Coming back from Simon Fraser, we are disappointed," CWU Head Coach Michael Farrand said.  "We took a step or two back rather than moving forward.  Now we play a solid NNU team, where Mary [Trigg] has done a great job.  Her results speak for themselves.  To be in the top four at this point of the season and to have the results they do, it speaks to her success as a coach and how well she has grown the program.  Last time we played them they were able to find success early and put us in a hole."
 
"Any time Central and Western play, in any sport, it's going to be a great game," Farrand added.  "They're not only one of the top teams in the conference or region, but in the nation. We had moments last time we faced them where we were able to find small successes, this time it's about expanding those successes.  It's our job to go in and upset their world a bit."
 
"We need to be consistent on both sides of the ball," Farrand finished.  "We need to focus on what we do well and do the little things right.  If we play a full 90-minutes and get the little things right, I'm confident the results will be there."
 
SCOUTING NORTHWEST NAZARENE
The newly branded Nighthawks hold the third spot in the GNAC conference table, compiling a 6-3-0 record in GNAC play.  Overall, NNU sits at 9-5-0 on the season.
 
The first time the Wildcats and Nighthawks played this season, NNU came away with a 3-0 victory.  Madi Taylor scored a pair of goals, but Rikki Myers netted the game winner in the 12^th minute.
 
Taylor leads the Nighthawks' offense with six goals. Taylor also leads in points with 16.  Myers (5G-1A-11P) is currently second.  As a unit, the Nighthawks have tallied 22 goals and allowed 11.
 
Daniele Ortiz has compiled an 8-4-0 record in goal, allowing nine goals and stopping 42 shots.

SCOUTING No. 3 WESTERN WASHINGTON
The defending national champions are still perfect on the season with a 12-0-0 record overall and an 8-0-0 mark in GNAC play.  The Vikings sit atop the conference table.
 
Gabriela Pelogi (10G-A5-25P) leads the Vikings' offense, with Karli White (7G-5A-19P) in second.  The Vikings have scored 40 goals and allowed just three on the year.
 
Ashley Homer has played all but 95 minutes of the Vikings' season in goal.  The keeper has posted a 12-0-0 record, allowed just two goals, and has only been forced to make 18 saves.
 
The Wildcats met the Vikings earlier in the season and Western came away with a 2-0 victory. 
 
CHASING HISTORY
Senior Mackenzie Nolte is now two goals away from the career record after becoming the all-time points leads following her goal against Simon Fraser.  Not only did Nolte become the all-time points leader in CWU women's soccer history, but she also tied the career high for goals (27).  She has scored seven or more goals in three of her four seasons at CWU.  Today's goal ties her career high for goals in a season (8).  With eight goals this season, Nolte is currently 10th in CWU history for goals in a season. Nolte passed Judy Koenigs for most career points.  Koenigs played from 1996-98 and tallied 65 points (27G-11A-65P).  Nolte is also ninth in career points per game (0.96).  She also tied Koenigs for career game-winning goals (8) and goals (27).
  
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats fell in both matches last week in a 3-2 double overtime loss to Seattle Pacific and a 4-1 loss to Simon Fraser.

RECENT HISTORY
The Wildcats played NNU only once in 2016 and handed the Crusaders a 2-0 loss.  Nolte picked up a pair of assists on goals from Bailey Martoncik and Kennedy Anson.  In 2015, the Wildcats swept the season series 2-0, with a 6-2 victory and a 2-1 win. 
 
The Wildcats are 0-5-0 against the Vikings in the past two seasons, including their last meeting earlier this season.  The Wildcats fell 2-0 at home.
 
FINAL NOTES
The Wildcats will don pink uniforms on Thursday for their annual Pink Game.  There will also be 100 vuvuzelas handed out to the first 100 fans in attendance.  Following Thursday's game CWU Athletics is hosting a Trunk or Treat from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the upper gym at Nicholson Pavilion.  Kids are encouraged to wear costumes.