ELLENSBURG, Wash.–Central Washington women's soccer returns home this week for two GNAC contests. The 'Cats face Simon Fraser on Thursday night and then square off with rivals Western Washington on Saturday afternoon for Homecoming.

QUOTING HEAD COACH LINDSEY LEE
"I am very excited with where the team is at. They are ready to go this weekend."
 
SCOUTING THE RED LEAFS
After two losses to 24^th-ranked Seattle Pacific 1-2 and Western Washington 1-2 last week, Simon Fraser is 4-4-2 overall and 4^th in the conference at 3-4-1.
 
Kate Cartier is the main offensive weapon for the Red Leafs and has two goals, two assists, and six points. Mikayla Tupper and Kaiden Sherwood have both found the back of the net twice this season.
 
Goalkeeper Sarah Loewen leads the conference in shutouts per game, posting five clean sheets in ten starts while recording 39 saves and holding opponents to under a goal per contest.
Simon Fraser (4^th) is clinging to the last spot in the GNAC Championships. They are two games behind Western Oregon (3^rd) and only a game above Northwest Nazarene (5^th) and Saint Martin's (6^th).

SCOUTING THE VIKINGS
Western Washington turned things around in a hurry after a slow start to the season. The Vikings have now won four in a row knocking off Montana State Billings 3-1 and Simon Fraser 2-1 last week. Their four straight victories have vaulted them up to 2^nd place in the GNAC.
 
Morgan Manalili and Mie Cairns captain the Viking's offense. In her 13 starts, Manalili has three goals, two assists, and eight points. Cairns also has three tallies this season for six points.

Sophie Bearden Croft is another key offensive component for the Vikings with two goals and an assist in 13 games played.

Claire Henninger is 6-3-2 and has the best goals-against average (0.59) in the conference. Over her 11 starts, Henninger recorded 29 saves and has a 83% save percentage.

LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats split last week taking a tough 1-2 loss to Western Oregon before rebounding at Northwest Nazarene for the dramatic 2-1 victory. Emily Darcy and Casey Park scored in the final ten minutes, propelling the 'Cats to the thrilling road win.