NAMPA, Idaho – The Central Washington University women's soccer team utilized three different goal scorers to take down the College of Idaho 3-2.
 
The Wildcats (1-0-0) outshot the Coyotes (1-1-0) 20-14. The Crimson and Black put 15 shots on frame.
 
Megan Fox nabbed her first save of the season in the third minute, when she turned aside a shot from the Yotes' Lily Schlake.
 
The Crimson and Black had their first two offensive chances of the season in the sixth and seventh minutes. Sophia Keenan drove a low shot on goal, but it was grabbed by Hannah McFadden. A minute later, Sydney Lowe let loose her first shot of the season and met the same result as Keenan.
 
Fox was called on again in the eighth minute, keeping a shot from Maddie Smith out of the net. In the tenth minute of play, Makinzie Packwood received her first chance on goal, but McFadden stopped it for her third save.
 
Central's offensive pressure continued to mount. Bella Brown and Grace Jackson each fired a shot on goal, forcing McFadden back into the action. In the 19^th minute, the Coyotes were able to quell the pressure and drive play into the 'Cats defensive third. Fox made another stop, this time denying Madison Glascock.
 
In the 23^rd minute the Wildcats finally struck. Packwood took a pass from Stacia Conely and, with a touch past the keeper, buried the first goal of the 2021 season for Central Washington.
 
"In a very good topsy-turvy game, we got out to a good start with a great finish from Mack and a great assist from Stacia," CWU Head Coach Michael Farrand said afterward. "We played through the first half really, really well."
 
The Yotes turned up the pressure after Central's marker. Glascock again found herself within striking range, but Fox came to the rescue once more. The Wildcats were able to clear their lines to avert any additional danger on the ensuing corner kick. The counterattack led to a shot from Packwood, which missed wide right.
 
Glascock wasn't done, however. She fired another shot on goal in the 28^th minute and was again met by Fox. A minute later, a shot from Megan Wilkinson went over the bar and subdued the Coyote attack.
 
Maci Parke and Casey Park each had a chance in the late 10:30 of the first half. Both of their shots were turned aside to preserve the 1-0 score.
 
Keenan got the shooting started in the second half forcing the Coyotes' new goalkeeper, Shae Waters, into the action early. Conely then blasted a shot but Waters turned her aside as well.
 
College of Idaho found the back of the net in the 51^st minute. Glascock fed a ball to Larissa Wegner, who slipped it under the diving keeper to level the score.
 
Just three minutes later, the Wildcats reclaimed the lead. Lowe sashayed around the keeper and netted her first goal of the campaign, giving Central a 2-1 lead. Lowe nearly struck again in the 66^th minute. Her shot was blocked near the goal line by a defender, keeping the difference at just one goal.
 
The Coyotes managed a second equalizer in the 68^th minute from Brynna Herridge.
 
"We lost Jax [Farmen] to an injury and had to adjust our lineup," Farrand added. "CofI did well and found some gaps. They nearly netted one [a goal] from a free kick, but Fox tipped it over the bar and probably saved the game for us."
 
In the 70^th minute, Grace Jackson put a shot on goal but Waters managed the save. Waters was called into action again in the 72^nd minute as Lowe searched for her second goal of the contest. Her shot generated a corner kick for the 'Cats. The first corner saw a Coyote defender head the ball out of play, giving CWU another chance. Packwood's service into the box was met by Parke, who slipped it past the keeper to take a 3-2 lead.
 
"We found the game winner off a set piece," Farrand noted. "It's the first time we've scored a goal off a set piece since Maci's first goal at Fresno three years ago. We created plenty of chance in front of the goal."
 
Fox turned the next two shots aside to preserve the 3-2 lead.
 
Central Washington is back in action on Saturday (September 4) when they take on Chaminade at 10:30 a.m. PT in Nampa.
 
Player of the Match: Maci Parke
Farrand on Parke:  "She played as a defender and held the back line together, then came forward and scored the game-winning goal for us."