ELLENSBURG, Wash. — The Central Washington University women's soccer team earned their first clean sheet of the season with a 2-0 win over Simon Fraser University (4-9-1, 5-6-0).
The Wildcats (4-11-0, 3-8-0) scored once in each half, while Liz Canton and Megan Fox combined for three saves. Central outshot SFU 12-10, including a 6-3 edge in shots on goal.
"Our best game of the season," Assistant Coach Emmy Koflanovich said. "I am extremely proud of the hard work that the team showed tonight. They were able to bring what we worked on at practice this week into the game tonight which allowed them to be successful. Jaxyn Farmen had a wonderful game and controlled the back line. It's always fun when there's a shutout!"
An early corner for the 'Cats gave way to a chance from Sydney Lowe, who rung the crossbar with game's opening shot. Canton made the contest's first save, turning aside Giuliana Zaurrini.
Simon Fraser was forced to make a goalkeeper change in the 16th minute on an injury. Nicole Anderson came off her line and dove at the attacker, snuffing out the attack. She was lifted from the game, however, for Kelsey Fisher. Anderson later returned to the game, but was forced to leave for a second-time due to injury.
Lowe was the first to test the new SFU keeper. Fisher turned aside her shot in the 22nd minute, leading to a Central corner. Lowe hit the crossbar for a second time off the ensuing corner, keeping the score at 0-0.
Anderson returned to the game in the 23rd minute. Just 60 seconds after returning, Anderson allowed the game's first goal. Makinzie Packwood drove up the left wing before sending a driven cross into the box. It skipped past Lowe and found Devine, who buried her shot for a 1-0 advantage.
Simon Fraser managed a pair of shots in the remainder of the first half, neither were on goal. Lowe had another chance in the 35th minute, but was denied by Anderson.
At the half Central made a change in goal, bringing on Fox. She was tested immediately after the restart, making a save on a shot from Annika Gross 62 seconds into the second stanza.
A turnover from Simon Fraser in their own end gave Packwood a breakaway chance. Anderson was there again, however, keeping her side trailing just by one.
Fisher returned to goal for Simon Fraser in the 54th minute, after Anderson was lifted for a minor injury.
Central recorded their first penalty kick of the season in the 61st minute of play after Simon Fraser committed a foul to prevent an empty net goal after Fisher was caught out. The foul paid off for SFU, as Fisher came up with the stop on the penalty attempt.
Fox was called on again in the 78th minute. She stymied a chance on goal from Kiara Buono, keeping her side ahead 1-0. Six minutes later, Central found the break they needed. The Wildcats were awarded a free kick near the end line, mimicking a corner. Devine's service rattled around the box before popping out on top of the 18. It was touched over to Keenan, who fired a shot past Fisher for a 2-0 lead.
Central Washington is back in action on Saturday, October 30. They host No. 18 Western Washington University for the 'Cats Pink Game. Kick-off is scheduled for noon at Tomlinson Stadium.
