ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Sophia Keenan scored twice as the Central Washington University women's soccer team nabbed a 3-2 win over Montana State Billings on Senior Day.
The Wildcats' (5-13-0, 4-10-0) second half goal from
Emily Darcy vaulted Central over the Yellowjackets (7-9-2, 4-8-2). Haley Gunter scored twice for Billings, tying the game on each goal.
"This was a great way to end the season for us," Assistant Coach
Emmy Koflanovich said. "Our seniors had a great game and many of them helped with the goals we scored today. It's been a whole team effort this season and I'm proud of all the hard work that they have put in. We will definitely miss this senior class."
Billings held a small edge in shots, 19-15, after taking 11 in the second stanza. The 'Jackets put 10 of their shots on goal, while Central put seven on frame.
It didn't take long for the 'Cats to find the back of the net.
Sydney Lowe played a through ball to Keenan in the fourth minute, opening up a chance on goal. Keenan buried her chance for a 1-0 lead on the game's first shot.
Makinzie Packwood nearly made it 2-0 a minute later, but Clare Keenan turned aside the effort.
Megan Fox made a pair of saves on Sydney Torres, keeping the game at 1-0, as Billings searched for the equalizer. The senior keeper made seven saves en route to the victory.
Packwood had another chance in the 15th minute. Her shot slipped past C. Keenan and rang off the post. Any effort on a rebound was negated as the ricochet landed in the arms of the keeper.
A corner kick from the 'Jackets in the 20th minute spelled danger for the Wildcats. A headed effort Vendela Andersson lofted over Fox but it was swept off the line by
Paige Devine. Still searching for the equalizer five minutes later, Torres tried her luck again. Fox came away with her third stop against the 'Jackets' forward.
Level pegging was achieved in the 32nd minute by MSUB. Trying to escape their own defensive third, the Wildcats sent the ball to the back line in an effort to re-organize. A headed back pass meant for Fox never reached the Wildcat keeper. Instead, it was scooped up by Gunter and slid into the back of the net.
Keenan notched her brace six minutes later. Lowe drove up the right wing and towards the end line before sending a cross to Keenan for the one-timed goal.
Billings tied the contest again in the final minute of the half. Ally Findlay played an over the top through ball for Gunter, who chipped the keeper for her second goal.
The 'Jackets had a flurry of chances in the opening minutes of the second stanza. Fox turned away shots from Jordan Roe and Torres, while Gunter and Torres sent shots wide of the net.
In the 57th minute,
Bella Brown blasted a shot on goal which was denied by Tuva Sallvin. Darcy was there for the rebound, cleaning up the loose ball and giving CWU a 3-2 lead.
Billings had six chances at another equalizer in the remainder of regulation. All but two of their shots went wide or over the bar. The remaining two shots were impeded by Fox.