ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University women's soccer team (7-7-1, 5-4-1) captured a 1-0 victory over Concordia University (Ore.) (5-10-1, 3-6-1) on Senior Day.
 
Paige Devine scored the only goal of the contest, lifting the Wildcats over the Cavaliers in a crucial match as both Central and Concordia are in the hunt for the GNAC Championships.
 
"Today was a must win, had to get three points out of it," senior defender Chelsea Marozik said afterward.  "We tied Concordia last time against though, so we knew it was going to be a battle.  We knew we had to show up today and grind it out.  We did."
 
Emily Thomson was the first keeper tested.  Brenda Uribe fired the first shot on goal for Concordia in the 15^th minute, but Thomson met her effort and turned it aside. 
 
Devine's goal came in the 18^th minute.  Sydney Lowe drove up the left wing and sent a service into the 18 where Devine one-timed into the back of the net for the 1-0 advantage.
 
Five minutes later the Wildcats were asking questions again.  Sophia Keenan ripped a shot just over the crossbar, narrowly missing adding a brace in the first half. 
 
A pair of shots from the Cavaliers were sent wide of the frame in the 27^th and 30^th minutes.  Concordia's pressure generated seven shots in the first half, a number they replicated in the second half. 
 
Teanna Lathum nearly added an insurance marker in the 35^th minute, but Hailey Asato came to the rescue for the Cavaliers to keep the score at 1-0.
 
Thomson was called on again in the 35^th minute.  Isabelle Morales let loose a shot on goal, but the Wildcats' keeper terminated the chance with her second save of the contest.
 
The final chance of the first half came off the foot of Bella Brown.  She sent a shot whistling just wide of the post.  After 45 minutes of play, the Wildcats held a 1-0 advantage.
 
Central's offense started early in the second half, carrying the momentum from the first.  Olivia Sloan had a chance on goal in the 53^rd minute, but it was stopped by Asato.  The ensuing counterattack from the Cavaliers ended with a shot from Kyra Radcliffe careening wide right.
 
Keenan got another chance at goal following a Concordia foul.  Keenan's free kick twisted just wide of the near post, keeping the contest stuck at 1-0.
 
In the 63^rd minute, Brenda Uribe looked to find the equalizer for the Cavaliers.  Her effort was stymied by Thomson, preserving the Wildcats' advantage.
 
Concordia changed their formation, sending an aerial bombardment towards the Wildcats' back line.  Anchored by Marozik and Alyssa Barden, Central's defense turned away multiple aerial through balls.
 
"I'm happy for Chelsea because she's given so much back to us," CWU Head Coach Michael Farrand said.  "Senior Day is always tough for the senior players and it's tough for the coaches because you want so much out of it.  Copmpared to the effort we gave on Thursday, I think in terms of her leadership and how we responded, we got a great result.  I'm happy for us, we went out and got a goal.  Paige hits a left-footed shaped ball, which we work on in practice.  I'm proud of our response and our effort today."
 
Maggie Ames found a late chance in the 83^rd minute for the Cavaliers.  Thomson once again came up with the stop. The Wildcats' final chance for a brace came in the 87^th minute on a shot from Lathum, which was stopped by Isabelle Davis. 
 
Racing back down the pitch, the Cavaliers pressed the attack once more.  A shot from Isabelle Morales went wide left, before a second effort 30 seconds later.  This time, Morales' shot was on frame.  It was turned aside by Thomson, keeping the clean sheet and victory intact.
 
Central Washington is back in action on Thursday as the Wildcats enter the final week of regular season play.  They host Northwest Nazarene on Thursday (Nov. 7) at 3:00 p.m. in Tomlinson Stadium.