MONOUTH, Ore. – The Central Washington University women's soccer team (8-8-1, 6-5-1) dropped its final match of the regular season to Western Oregon University (10-5-3, 7-3-2), 3-1.
"We started off really well," CWU Head Coach
Michael Farrand said. "Kylee [Dillon] scored off a corner, it was great for her to get a goal. Then we gave up a goal to their leading scorer 40 seconds later. I don't think we responded very well. We need to better around the goal, we gave up two goals off of corners. We need to be better around our own goal if we want to succeed in GNAC's."
Kylee Dillon scored in the third minute, putting CWU up 1-0. She buried her shot off of a corner kick from
Sophia Keenan.
Western Oregon responded immediately. Alyssa Tomasini levelled the score at 1-1 with a left-footed goal from inside the 18. The Wolves then generated three corners before the Wildcats had another chance at goal.
It was Dillon again who found herself in scoring position. She fired a shot goalwards, but it was turned away by Alex Qualls.
Kaili Brundage had a chance for Western Oregon in the 28
th minute, but
Emily Thomson made the stop.
Chelsea Marozik nearly buried her first goal of the season in the 37
th minute, but Qualls kept it out.
The Wolves took a 2-1 lead in the 42
nd minute when Tomasini struck again. She twisted her corner kick into the net for a 2-1 advantage. Kennedy Clay added the brace in the 64
th minute, putting the Wolves ahead 3-1.
Central Washington's chances were few and far between in the second half. The Wildcats' offense made noise around the 70
th minute.
Molly Edvalds had a shot blocked by a defender, before
Jaxyn Farmen rifled a shot high.
Bella Brown had a chance in the 80
th minute to bring the game within one, but her shot went wide right.
The Crimson and Black finished with eight shots, four on goal. Thomson made five saves in goal and the Wildcats were the beneficiaries of five corner kicks.
Despite the loss, Farrand noted the turnaround and success the team has had this year.
"I think if you look at where we were in 2017 and 2018, our turnaround is significant," Farrand added. "To go from where we were in 2017, to nearly playing ourselves into the GNAC's in 2018, to clinching this season, I think it speaks to who we are together. We have gone through injuries, lineup changes, formation changes, and we have made our own success. I think it speaks to the leadership of Sophia [Keenan], Chelsea [Marozik, our captains, and the work they have put in this year to get here. We are going to be a tough team to play in the GANC Champinoships."
Central will now head to the GNAC Championships as the number four seed. The GNAC Championships will be held in Seattle at Interbay Stadium, the home pitch of Seattle Pacific University.
