ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington University (1-1-1, 0-0-0 GNAC) begin Great Northwest Atlantic Conference play on Thursday, September 26^th as they will travel to Nampa, Idaho to face Northwest Nazarene University (0-4-0, 0-0-0 GNAC). The match will take place at the NNU Soccer and Lacrosse Field, kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. PST.
The 'Cats return home to face Saint Martin's University (0-5-0, 0-0-0 GNAC) on Saturday, September 28^th at 12:00 p.m. The match will take place at Steve Hertling Field at Tomlinson Stadium. These two games will be a great test for CWU as they begin their conference competition.
 
THE WILDCATS
Central Washington has had a great start to the season as they have shown their defensive identity to stay in games and deliver. They lost 1-0 to #1 ranked Point Loma but showed great resiliency and nearly tied the match. They picked up a draw in their last match against Chico State which is the best finish in program history against them. Leighton Menge will be a name to watch as she has made 15 saves in the two matches she has started so far. Jordan Bartlow and Peyton Wilson are other notable names to look out for as they each have a goal and will be looking to find the back of the net.
 
THE NIGHTHAWKS
NNU will be looking to secure their first win of the season as they have struggled early on. Alejandra Jaramillo will be a name to watch as she has a goal on the season and will look to build off her early season success. Alex Barrass has made 17 saves through the first four games and will be essential for the Nighthawks success going into GNAC play. They have been shutout three of their four matches and will be looking to change that this upcoming week.
 
THE SAINTS
SMU will be looking to earn their first win of the season after struggling to find their identity early on in their fixtures. Hinata Kojima will be a name to watch as she has logged 340 minutes with a goal scored as well. Flavia Burrell has made 23 saves through four games started and will be looking to continue her defensive performances. Payton Aselton is another notable player to keep your eyes on as she has logged one assist and created many scoring opportunities with four shots.
 
ALL TIME SERIES
In 41 meetings with one another, CWU has the upper hand with a record of 26-14-1 against Northwest Nazarene. In their most recent meeting, the 'Cats took the victory, 2-1 in Nampa, Idaho in October 2023.
 
In 31 head-to-head match-ups, the Wildcats have won 22 of their meetings against Saint Martin's. Most recently, both teams took the 1-1 draw in Ellensburg on Senior Night to conclude the 2023 season.
 
UP NEXT
CWU will travel to Billings, Montana to face Montana State Billings on Thursday, October 3^rd at 2:00p p.m. PST. from the Yellowjacket Soccer Field. The 'Cats will travel to Seattle, Washington next to face the Seattle Pacific University Falcons on Saturday, October 5^th at 4:30 p.m. at the Interbay Soccer Stadium.