NAMPA, Idaho – Olivia Sloan's first collegiate goal led the Central Washington University women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Cal State East Bay (0-2-1).
 
The Wildcats (2-1-0) earned their first clean sheet of the season with goalkeeper Megan Fox turning aside five shots.
 
East Bay's offense found its way into the Wildcats' defensive third just two minutes into the contest.  Chace Miguel had the first opportunity to put the Pioneers up 1-0, but Fox stymied the shot.  Four minutes later, Riley Spitzer took her first shot of the afternoon but it sailed wide left of the goal.
 
Central's first chance came in the 14^th minute. Peyton Vogel fired a shot which missed the net wide right.  Sophia Keenan found herself within range in the 16^th minute, before Vogel worked her way towards the 18 in the 19^th minute.  Neither shot found the back of the net, keeping the score at 0-0.
 
Spitzer had a pair of chances for East Bay before the 30-minute mark, but she sent one shot over the bar and the other wide right.
 
The Wildcats' first shot on goal came in the 30^th minute.  Madison Bradley sent a shot goalwards, but a defender was able to keep it from crossing the goal line and preserve the level score.
 
In the 32^nd minute of play, East Bay's Andrea Aborqui took a chance at goal, but her shot missed was sent wide.  Olivia Sloan had the next chance for Central, but her shot whistled high.  Each side had one more opportunity at goal, but both shots were sent wide left.  After 45 minutes of play, the score read 0-0 despite seven shots a side. 
 
Great second half for us, a little stagnant in the first half," CWU Head Coach Michael Farrand said afterward.  "We did a good job limiting things in front of us.  Really proud of how the girls responded at half time and to grow the game out.   I'm happy for them and how they responded in the second half."
 
The Crimson and Black wasted no time after the restart.  Just four minutes into the second half Emily Russell sent a service across the box and found Olivia Sloan, who fired home her shot for a 1-0 advantage. 
 
Looking for the equalizer, East Bay got a chance in the 55^th minute.  Lauren McDougal fired a low shot on goal, but Fox turned it aside. 
 
Fox was once again asked to keep the Wildcats' lead intact in the 67^th minute.  A shot from Annika Blom was scooped up by the Wildcat keeper.   Another effort from Spitzer in the 70^th minute was sent wide of the frame, keeping the score line at 1-0 in favor of Central. 
 
Searching for the brace, the Wildcats' offense fired six shots goalwards in the second half.   Keenan nearly found the insurance marker in the 64^th minute, but Jordan Smith was able to parry the shot.  Madison Hinkel fired a pair of shots, but neither were able to hit the mark.  Sloan wasn't quite finished on offense.  In the 82^nd minute, she rung the post with a shot and nearly missed giving Central a 2-0 lead.
 
East Bay's final chance on offense came in the 85^th minute.  A shot from Jordan Lemieux was turned aside by Fox.
 
Russell was named the Wildcats' player of the match.  She had the lone assist on Sloan's game-winning goal and helped anchor the Wildcats' backline in their first shutout win of the season.
 
The Wildcats are back in action on Saturday (Sept. 14) to play Hawaii Hilo.  Kick-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. PT (2:30 p.m. MT).