ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University women's soccer team (8-7-1, 6-4-1) recorded their second consecutive clean sheet victory as they defeated Northwest Nazarene (6-9-2, 3-6-2), 3-0, and clinched a berth into the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships.
 
"I feel like we've overcome a lot this year," junior Sophia Keenan said.  "People had to step up and they did tremendously.  We've gotten better each game."
 
There were shots aplenty as the Nighthawks and Wildcats battled for the final spot in the GNAC championships.  The final shot total saw Central with a 19-18 advantage, but the Nighthawks had a 12-8 advantage in the second half.
 
The Wildcats' offense wasted no time as Bella Brown fired the contest's first shot just 15 seconds into play.  Paige Devine had a chance in the sixth minute, but sent her shot high.
 
Northwest Nazarene's first chance came in the seventh minute on a shot from Tennyson Young.  The shot forced Emily Thomson into action for the first time on the evening, turning the shot aside.
 
Central Washington struck in the 16^th minute.  A through ball from Madison Hinkel found Teanna Lathum, who had broken free from the Nighthawks' back line, and she buried her shot past a diving Alexis Montoya for her third goal of the season.
 
A minute later the Wildcats' offense was on the move again.  Brown took a shot from range, but Montoya was able to stymie the effort.  A shot from Hinkel in the 22^nd minute led to a corner kick after Montoya's save, but Brown couldn't find the back of the net with her shot.
 
In the 27^th minute, Lathum won possession on a challenge 30 yards away from the Nighthawks' goal and marched towards the 18.  She beat Montoya again on the breakaway, this time slipping the shot low to the far post for her fourth goal of the season and second of the game.
 
"When the freshmen start to gain the confidence they need to have when they step on the field and you saw that tonight with Teanna scoring two goals," sophomore Paige Devine said.  "It shows a lot about her composure in front of the goal."
 
The Nighthawks increased their pressure, trying to force turnovers inside the Wildcats' defensive half.  Brooke Felzien nearly put Northwest Nazarene on the scoreboard in the 29^th minute, but Thomson again came up with the save.
 
The first half's final chance came on a shot from Lexi Klaudt, but again Montoya turned the shot aside.  After 45 minutes of play, Central led 2-0.
 
Madison Bradley added another insurance marker in the 47^th minute.  With the Nighthawks in possession, Northwest Nazarene aimed to push forward by utilizing their back line and aerial through balls.  Bradley blocked the attempt and gathered the loose ball, before she cut across the middle of the pitch, and buried her second goal of the season for a 3-0 advantage.
 
Kylee Dillon and Paige Devine both had a shot on goal, but both shots were stopped by Montoya before the 50^th minute.
In the 50^th minute, the Nighthawks' Christa Lewis fired a shot on frame but it was kept out by Thomson.
 
The junior goalkeeper made six saves in the clean sheet.
 
Central Washington's defense did not allow another shot on goal until the 69^th minute, when Thomson turned away a shot from Sierra Sanchez.  Thomson then made another save in the 83^rd minute to keep the Nighthawks scoreless. Her final save of the evening came against Sanchez in the 90^th minute.  Thomson parried the shot to earn her fifth clean sheet.
 
"The effort we had here tonight and the effort against Concordia was awesome," CWU Head Coach Michael Farrand added.  "We had to step up and play forward and we were able to do that.  I think the girls are right, the culture of who we are together is awesome, the girls are all-in.  The girls have been great because they have continued to grow and learn together.  It's been fun, a great year for us so far, and being able to clinch at home is fantastic.  It's great for our girls to be able to get back to the GNAC Championhips."
 
The Wildcats are back in action on Saturday (Nov. 9) as they travel to Western Oregon University for their regular season finale.  Kick-off is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.