BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Central Washington University soccer team (2-3-0) fell to Western Washington University (4-1-2), 3-1.
 
Central was outshot by Western 22-12, however the on-goal chances were just 7-5 in favor of WWU.
 
"Disappointed about the defensive miscues that led to goals," CWU Head Coach Michael Farrand said.  "Love the resiliency to battle through the game itself and we finished on a high note with the goal from Jayme. Not necessarily the best way to finish, but I'm happy with the effort and the attitude. I'm excited to see what we do in the fall."
 
Western's offense found the shot chart first. Dayana Diaz, who had the Viks' lone goal in the reverse fixture in Ellensburg, challenged goalkeeper Emily Thomson in the fourth minute with a shot. Thomson turned the shot aside to keep the contest scoreless.
 
The Vikings had a pair of chances in the seventh and ninth minutes, but both shots missed the frame. In the 14^th minute, Sophie Butterfield took a chance at goal but her shot went over the bar and wide right. Diaz's next chance in the 19^th minute was blocked by a Wildcat defender.
 
It wasn't until the 24^th minute the score shifted from 0-0. Estera Levinte dribbled through traffic near midfield, after the Vikings took possession on a turnover, pushed past her defender and fired a low shot from 18 yards to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead.
 
Western's offense didn't slow down after taking the lead. Ashley Nguyen fired a shot high in the 26^th minute, before Butterfield forced Thomson back into action with a shot the Wildcats' keeper turned aside in the 28^th minute.
 
Central found its way onto the shot chart in the 29^th minute with pair of shots in quick succession. Paige Devine ripped a shot which was blocked, allowing Sydney Lowe to try her hand at goal. Lowe's shot missed over the bar, keeping the score at 1-0 in favor of Western.
 
The Vikings had a pair of shots miss the frame before Central was able to manifest a chance of their own. Jaxyn Farmen fired a pair of shots high in the 39^th minute. The Vikings took another chance on goal in the 41^st minute. Brooke Grosz's attempt at goal was parried by Thomson, preserving the 1-0 score.
 
At the end of 45 minutes of play, the Vikings held a 1-0 lead.
 
Central fell behind 2-0 early in the second stanza. Darby Doyle scored a left-footed marker in the 48^th minute from 19 yards out to brace the Vikings' lead. Western then tallied a third marker a minute later off the boot of Zola Carbone.
 
Looking to cut into the deficit, Bella Brown fired a shot on goal at the end of the 49^th minute but it was turned aside by Natalie Dierickx.
 
After a trio of chances went by the wayside for Western, the Wildcats were on the attack once more. Finn Sprankle put a shot on frame in the 66^th minute, but Dierickx again made the stop. Brown found the rebound but her shot missed just high.
 
A chance for Grace Jackson was blocked by a defender in the 72^nd minute, leading to a Wildcat corner kick. Off the corner, Morgan Fischel fired a shot just high.
 
Thomson was called back into action in the 74^th minute, turning aside a shot from Abigail Arnold. It was her last save of the contest, as Central changed keepers and called on Liz Canton to handle the goalkeeper duties.
 
Jayme Woodfill nearly put the Wildcats on the board in the 86^th minute, but her shot was turned aside by Abigail Trengove. In the 87^th minute, Devine challenged Trengove and the Vikings' keeper came away with the save again.
 
Woodfill didn't miss on her second chance. Jackson and Megan Meindersee worked the ball to Woodfill, who slotted her shot low and past Trengove to make it 3-1.
 
The Wildcats will now look ahead to the 2021 fall season.