NAMPA, Idaho. - The Central Washington University women's soccer team (3-4-4, 1-4-3 GNAC) battled to a 2-2 draw on the road Saturday afternoon against Northwest Nazarene University (3-7-2, 2-4-2 GNAC) at NNU Soccer Field. The Wildcats were led by goals from Casey Park and Cam Sheets, while the Nighthawks saw Savanna Herz and Attie Jo Westbrook each find the back of the net.
 
FIRST HALF
Grace Fisher was issued a yellow card in the 11th minute following a hard foul. In the 21st minute, Jaylee Reynolds had a look at goal but sent her shot just wide to the right. The Wildcats broke through in the 33rd minute when Casey Park unleashed a powerful strike from 25 yards out, sending the ball over the NNU goalkeeper and into the top-left corner to give CWU the lead. The Nighthawks responded just before halftime, leveling the match in the 44th minute as Savanna Herz slotted home a pass from Alexis Cromwell off a well-placed corner kick. NNU held a slight 5-4 edge in shots during the half, though both sides generated quality chances. CWU goalkeeper Leighton Menge recorded three saves to help keep things level heading into the break.
 
SECOND HALF
Cam Sheets put the Wildcats back in front in the 53rd minute, calmly converting a penalty kick into the top-left corner following a foul inside the box committed by Elliana Kimball. Ava Shiflett looked to extend the lead in the 64th minute, but her shot sailed over the crossbar. In the 71st minute, Menge came up big with a crucial save, diving to deny Ali Adkins' low shot to the bottom right corner. The Nighthawks found the equalizer in the 77th minute, as Attie Jo Westbrook buried a free kick to make it 2-2. Both teams pressed for a late winner, but neither was able to break the deadlock. NNU outshot CWU 4-2 in the second half, while Menge recorded three more saves to preserve the draw.

 
QUOTING HEAD COACH JOHN HAWKS
"We continue to compete and battle for a full 90 which is great to see. Unfortunately, we allowed the set piece play to be the difference which ultimately led to a win becoming a tie…Credit to NNU and their execution on both goals (corner kick & free kick)!

We will learn from these in game lessons as we continue to refine and grow as Individuals and a team…Go Cats!"
 
UP NEXT
The Wildcats' road trip continues as they travel to Seattle, Washington for a showdown with Seattle Pacific on Thursday, October 23. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. at Interbay Soccer Stadium.