ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Sept. 6) – The Central Washington University women's soccer team (0-2-2) played to a 1-1 draw against Metro State University Denver (2-0-1).
 
Madison Bradley scored the Wildcats' lone goal in the 18^th minute after dispossessing Brooklynm Mooney just outside the 18.  The equalizer was Bradley's second goal of the season.
 
"We've shown a knack this year to respond after giving up a goal," CWU Head Coach Mike Farrand said.  "As the game went on I think we grew the game out.  All the girls put a lot of work into the game, mentally and emotionally.  They committed to playing for themselves and each other."
 
Sydney Lowe led the Wildcats in shots with seven.  The freshman midfielder put four of her shots on goal. 
 
The scoring chances started early for both sides.  Bry Sanchez got the contest's first opportunity in the second minute, but her shot was fired high.  Lowe got the Wildcats' first chance with a headed effort, but it too went over the bar.
 
Emily Thomson made a pair of saves in the seventh and ninth minutes, keeping out shots from Brooklynn Mooney and Jaimy Sawaged.
 
The Roadrunners were the first to find the back of the net.  In the 15^th minute a cross from Jessica Mooney found its way near the six and after an attempted punch away, Reigna Banks was able to tap home an open shot for the 1-0 lead.
 
The Wildcats wasted no time finding the equalizer.  Bradley's 18^th minute goal, after stripping the ball from Brooklynn Mooney, levelled the score line and that is where it stayed for the remainder of the contest.
 
While neither team could pull ahead, they were not devoid of chances.   The Roadrunners finished with 19 shots, while the Wildcats tallied 13.  
 
Lowe forced MSUD goalkeeper Erica Torres to make a save in the 22^nd minute, while Luna Garcia returned the favor on Thomson in the 24^th minute of play.
 
As time wound down in the first half, the Roadrunners were issued a corner and a chance for a late goal in the first 45.  Paloma Teran sent a ball into the 18, where Banks was able to generate a shot.  Thomson turned the shot aside to preserve the level score.
 
Wildcat defenders sacrificed the body twice to block a shot in the second half before Katy Harris was able to get a shot through the back line towards Thomson, who once again turned the shot aside. 
 
Lexsi Manning nearly broke the tie in the 77^th minute, but Torres came up big for the Roadrunners and parried the shot.  She would be called on once again in the 90^th minute when Lowe took another chance goalward.  Torres made the save, forcing overtime.
 
In the first overtime period, the Wildcats did not get a chance at goal.  The Roadrunners' offense was silent for the first eight minutes of play, before Harris and Gabriella Gamboa unleashed three shots in 12 seconds. 
 
The Wildcat back line stood strong again, sacrificing the body on both of Harris' efforts goalward.  After the second shot, Gamboa found the ball after it caromed off a defender and fired it wide.
 
Gamboa received another chance on goal, but Thomson kept the shot out.  The Roadrunners had only one more chance in the second overtime period, but Teran's shot was sent wide.
 
The Wildcats forced Torres to make a pair of save in the 108^th minute.  Bella Brown fired the first shot, but Torres parried it, allowing Bradley to fire a shot goalward.  Torres met Bradley's shot to keep the game alive.
 
Central Washington found one more chance at goal with just 23 seconds to play.  Lowe found space and fired a shot on frame, but Torres made the save as the final seconds ticked off the clock.
 
The Wildcats are back in action on Sunday (Sept. 8) at noon to take on Cal State San Bernardino.