ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington gears up for a week of conference play, starting Thursday at home against Northwest Nazarene. The 'Cats then travel to Lacey Washington on Saturday to face Saint Martin's.

GAME INFORMATION
Thursday, September 21^st at 3:00 PM vs. Northwest Nazarene (2-0-2) at the CWU Soccer Field
Saturday, September 23^rd at 2:00 PM at Saint Martin's (2-1-1), Lacey Washington Saints Field 
 
YOUR WILDCATS
The 'Cats suffered a tough home setback to Regis 0-3 last Friday. Central Washington is now 1-4-0 overall as they head into conference play.
 
Stacia Conely returned to the pitch for the Wildcats on Friday. She made an immediate impact taking a couple of shots and earning corners. Tatum Zuber had a great first half, asserting her dominance in the midfield and taking the two best shots of the night. Mallory Patzer and Morgan Blankenship split time in goal and combined for two saves.
 
Historically, the 'Cats are 25-13-1 against the Nighthawks and 22-6-1 against Saint Martin's.
 
SCOUTING THE NIGHTHAWKS
Northwest Nazarene (2-0-2) beat Westminster UT 2-1 thanks to goals from Carolyn Moravec and Nicole Lewis. The Nighthawk's calling card is their defense. They have only allowed one goal in four matches thanks in part to Senior defender Makayla Roggow and Junior goalie Bailey Blancett.
 
Madison Grande has a goal this season and leads the team with 10 shots. Lewis and Moravec round out the three goals so far this season for NNU. Kate Bleffert and Savanna Hertz each have an assist this season. Overall, the Nighthawks are averaging just under a goal a game.
 
Bailey Blancett has been stout between the pipes for Northwest Nazarene. She has ten saves so far this season, with a goals-against average of 0.25, and ranks 19^th in division II and third in the GNAC with a .909 save percentage.
 
SCOUTING THE SAINTS
Saint Martin's is (2-1-1) overall grabbing wins over Colorado Christian University and Evergreen State College.
 
Mia Fleming and Kaeli Ploettner each have a goal and an assist for three points this season. Saint Martin's is averaging 15.5 shots and 1.25 goals per game.
 
The Saints have two keepers that the 'Cats could face on Saturday. Ali Campigotto is 2-0 with a save on three shots faced, and Flavia Burrell is 0-1-1 in three games played, making seven saves. Both keepers boast one shutout so far this season.
 
UP NEXT
The 'Cats return home for a GNAC doubleheader next week, hosting Montana State Billings on Thursday, September 28^th at 3:00 PM and Seattle Pacific on Saturday, September 30^th at 7:00 PM.