FRESNO, Calif. — The Central Washington University women's soccer team scored a pair of second half goals to overtake Fresno Pacific University (0-1-0), 2-1, in the 2019 season opener.

The Wildcats (1-0-0) gave up an early goal, going down 1-0.  Gia Jager sent a cross to Mackenzie Reynolds who fired her shot home for the advantage.

Just a minute later, Sydney Lowe took her first shot of the season, but it was turned aside by Birgitta Eggertsdottir.  Sophia Keenan found her way to the shot chart in the 24^th minute, whistling a shot wide of the net.  

Central kept up the attack throughout the first half with shots from Madison Bradley and Lowe, but Eggertsdottir held the Wildcats off the scoreboard in the opening period.  

Emily Thomson made a pair of saves in the first half, keeping the score line at 1-0.  She turned a shot from Tori De Leon away in the 22^nd minute, before making another save on a shot from Hoku Ishikawa in the 31^st.  

After Bradley's shot in the 32^nd minute both offenses went quiet and play was kept away from both 18's.

The Sunbirds early marker held through the halftime whistle.

Central Washington wasted no time restarting the attack in the second half.  Makinzie Packwood sent a shot goalwards in the 46^th minute, forcing Eggertsdottir to parry the shot.  

In the 59^th minute, the Wildcats got their chance.  Bryn Waite lined up for a corner kick and delivered it into the 18.  After bounding around the box, freshman Maci Parke slotted her shot to the lower left of Eggertsdottir, leveling the score at 1-1.

Parke's goal is her first collegiate goal, coming in her collegiate debut.

The Crimson and Black allowed only two shots in the second stanza, both were sent over the crossbar.  Central's offense, meanwhile, was still on the attack.  

Olivia Sloan sent a headed effort wide in the 65^th minute.  In the 70^th minute, Lowe found Jaxyn Farmen's head off a corner but it too missed the frame.   A corner from Emily Russell in the 76^th minute led to a chance for Paige Devine, but she sent her shot just wide.  Devine got another chance for the go-ahead maker in the 82^nd minute, but did not find the back of the net.

As time waned in the second half, Lowe got her chance.  She took a pass from Keenan and made her way inside the box before firing a shot past a diving Eggertsdottir for the 2-1 Wildcat advantage.

"Big step forward for us as a young team to find a way to win," CWU Head Coach Michael Farrand said.  "We missed a couple open goals in the second half that we could have put away, but it was a great response for us.  Great way for a young team to find a way to grind it out.  We are happy with the game and Syd getting her first of the season and for Maci to come off the bench and find the equalizer in her first game.  We have another tough game coming against San Marcos on Saturday."  

The Wildcats outshot the Sunbirds 11-8 and 6-3 in shots on goal.  They also were the beneficiaries of five corners, while Fresno only received three.  Alongside Parke, Teanna Lathum, Jaxyn Farmen, Peyton Vogel, Madison Hinkel, and Sydney Edwards all made their college debuts against Fresno Pacific.

Central Washington is back in action on Saturday (Sept. 7) for an away match at California State San Marcos.  Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.