Ellensburg, Wash (Oct. 20)—The Central Washington University soccer team (4-7-4, 4-4-2) captured a 1-0 victory over Saint Martins University (5-11-0, 1-9-0) this afternoon in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference matchup. Today's game marked the final home game of the 2018 season, prior to kick-off the Wildcats honored six seniors for their time in a Wildcat jersey.
 
The six Wildcat seniors got the nod from CWU Head Coach Mike Farrand including senior midfielder Bailey Martoncik. Martoncik opened the game and was given her ovation from the crowd.
 
The Wildcats came out not wasting any time on the offensive half of the field. In the first 15 minutes of the game, the Wildcat attack got off an impressive seven shots to begin the game. Senior KK Wallace was the first to get a shot off and missed just high off the crossbar. Central went on to tally 14 total shots in the first half alone. Wallace was instrumental in forcing the attack for the Wildcats and caused havoc on the Saints' back line.
 
Of those fourteen, just one found the back of the net. A near-scrum in front of the net ended when the ball caromed off a defender to sophomore defender Emily Russell.  She was able to make her way to just outside of the 18 to gather the deflection and struck a shot from 20 yards out that went bar down and over the goal line.
 
"She picked a heck of time to find her first opportunity to go to the goal and score her first collegiate goal, as well as collect her first game-winning goal," Farrand said after the game.
 
The Central defense was nothing short of a brick wall lead by senior defender Olivia Olason. Saint Martin's was only allowed one shot in the first half. Olason collected everything that went loose on the back line and anything that wasn't loose, was more than likely won by senior Emily Minogue who was a tear on the 50/50 balls.  The back line for the Wildcats was nearly impenetrable, allowing Emily Thomson to make just one save on the afternoon.
 
The middle was controlled by senior Kennedy Anson who was winning balls on the defensive end and carrying the ball up field before controlling the central midfield distribution.
 
Senior Lexsi Manning was keen with her services, and her challenges, for the Wildcats, giving the Saints more than they could handle.
 
At the end of the day, you could see that the six seniors left their mark on turf as the final whistle rang out.
 
"Seniors were awesome today," Farrand added, reflecting on his senior class. "I love them to death. That's a great group for us that has given so much back to Central soccer. I'm glad we could go out today and get a win for them."
 
The Wildcats head over to Seattle on Tuesday (Oct. 23)  to take on Seattle Pacific under the lights at 7:00 p.m. in their next Great Northwest Athletic Conference matchup.