ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The Central Washington University women's soccer team will open their 2022 campaign against Chico State at Tomlinson Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 1. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
 
"I'm excited to see this team perform," CWU Head Coach Lindsey Lee said. "The ladies have been putting in the work over the past six months and this week starts the beginning of what they have been working toward."
 
The beginning of the 2022 season marks the emergence of a new era in CWU women's soccer. Thursday's matchup will be the first regular season game with Coach Lee at the helm. Lee has spent the last seven seasons as an assistant coach at Cal Poly where she mentored the top two goalkeepers in school history for career saves.
 
In 2021, the Wildcats finished with a 5-13 record. The team finished with 23 goals on the year, averaging 1.28 goals per game. CWU allowed 61 goals, an average of 3.39 goals per game. The Wildcats were selected to finish seventh in the GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll.
 
"Trainings have been full of energy and high quality. The girls are training for something bigger right now and they are fired up and ready to show who CWU Women's Soccer is," Lee said.
 
This year's team has its fair share of newcomers, including six freshmen and four transfers.
 
"They have all brought a great amount of grit and desire to this team and it has brought up the level of training and competition. They have impacted in aspects on the field and off the field and I am very grateful for each of them," Lee said.
 
Chico State posted a 10-3-5 record in 2021, scoring on average 1.72 goals per game. CSU only allowed 11 goals on the year, an average of 0.61 goals per game.
 
"Chico is a great first opponent. They play in a challenging conference and finished well last year. Head Coach Kim Sutton is someone I have known and admired," Lee said. "So, it's surreal to have an opportunity to compete against a coach and team that has had a ton of success over the years. And I'm very excited to see what we can do!"
 
GAME INFORMATION
Thursday, Sept. 1
1:00 PM PST
Vs. Chico State
Tomlinson Stadium
Ellensburg, Wash.
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