ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Sydney Lowe tallied two goals and an assist as the Central Washington University women's soccer team notched their first Great Northwest Athletic Conference victory over Saint Martin's University, 4-1).
 
The Wildcats (2-8-0, 1-5-0) outshot the Saints (3-7-0, 2-4-0) 16-13, including an 11-7 mark in the second half. The Crimson and Black scored three second half goals en route to the win. Grace Jackson scored the game-winner in the 52^nd minute.
 
Lowe opened the scoring in the eighth minute. After sashaying past a defender, she chipped the keeper for a 1-0 lead on the contest's first shot.
 
"I was really bummed that I missed a couple games," Lowe said. "I wanted to come out, work hard for my teammates, and bring more energy to the pitch. I knew we'd respond to the energy. It felt good to be back."
 
Megan Fox and Liz Canton split time in goal for the Wildcats, capping out at 45 minutes each. Fox made the start and was first tested by Saint Martin's in the 15^th minute on a shot from Payton Aselton. Fox handled the save to keep the 'Cats ahead.
 
A turnover in the 17^th minute allowed Rachel Kimura to slip past the defense and rifle a shot low and away for the equalizer. The Saints nearly took the lead in the 28^th minute when a shot from Rebecca Garrison struck the woodwork. Central's counter attack led to a corner kick from Bella Brown. Her corner was gathered by Devine, who fired a shot just over the bar.
 
Central searched for a late go-ahead marker in the first half. Maci Parke's headed effort off a corner narrowly missed giving the 'Cats a lead. Lowe forced SMU keeper Ali Campigotto to turn aside a late effort on goal, keeping the score at 1-1 through 45 minutes of play. The Saints responded in kind, challenging Fox with a shot in the final 30 seconds of the half, but the 'Cats keeper came up with the stop.
 
After the restart, neither offense wasted time generating a shot. Saint Martin's was the first to find the shot chart in the second stanza. A shot loosed by Justine Pauly was blocked by a Wildcat, leading to a counter-attack. Leading the counter in the attacking third, Jackson's first shot was blocked but her second effort found the back of the net. Sophia Keenan found Makinzie Packwood up the wing, opening the counter. Packwood drove towards the end line before sending a cross to Jackson in the box.
 
Canton made her first save of the contest in the 56^th minute, denying Sosna Araya.
 
Casey Park gave the Wildcats a two-goal advantage in the 62^nd minute. Lowe took possession for the 'Cats and sent a driven ball to Keenan. In turn Keenan sent a through ball to Park, who buried her chance for a 3-1 lead.
 
Kiersten Madsen tried to cut the deficit to one in the 65^th minute but was met by Canton. She was called on again in the 72^nd minute, parrying a shot from Jordyn Jolley.
 
Megan Meindersee nearly added another insurance marker for the Crimson and Black in the 74^th minute. Campigotto was able to keep Meindersee's shot out, however.
 
The 'Cats made the most of a trio of corner kicks in quick succession late. A headed effort from Parke slipped just wide of the net after caroming off a defender, before Packwood laced a shot ever so slightly wide.
 
Central's momentum led to Lowe's second goal of the contest in the 88^th minute. Packwood sent a cross into the box for Lowe, who touched her shot past the keeper.
 
 Fox and Canton combined for five saves. Canton made three stops in the second.
 
"Especially in the second half, we had faith in one another," Assistant Coach Emmy Koflanovich said. "Before the game we talked about not playing reactionary and being proactive to put the ball in the back of the net. We've talked about our back line keeping a high line to limit through balls and allow our keepers a chance to scoop it up. They've stepped up drastically, including Paige in the midfield. The back line has been able to talk a bit more and communicate. Most importantly, they've stayed connected which has allowed us to win balls and stay in our attack."
 
Central Washington is back on the pitch on Thursday (October 14) as they host nationally ranked Seattle Pacific University. Kick-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. at Tomlinson Stadium.