ELLENSBURG, Wash.- The Central Washington University women's soccer team (2-2-3, 0-2-2 GNAC) returns home this week for a pair of GNAC matchups. The Wildcats will host Montana State Billings (2-6-0, 1-3-0 GNAC) on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 4:00 p.m. at the CWU Soccer Field. They'll then take on Seattle Pacific University (3-3-3, 1-2-1 GNAC) on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 11:00 a.m. at Steve Hertling Field at Tomlinson Stadium.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats hit the road last week, falling 3-0 to Western Oregon on Thursday, Oct. 2, in Monmouth, Oregon, before earning a 1-1 draw against Saint Martin's on Saturday, Oct. 4, in Lacey, Washington.

In Thursday's matchup at WOU Soccer Field, the Wildcats were outshot 17-7 by the Wolves. Jada Foster opened the scoring just before halftime, converting a penalty kick in the 45th minute. Western Oregon was awarded another penalty early in the second half following a foul by Casey Park, and Ally Beavers capitalized in the 50th minute to double the lead. Katya Tercek sealed the win with a third goal in the 85th minute, assisted by Beavers and Maya Courtenay. Danika Galbraith recorded five saves in goal for CWU. Offensively, Cam Sheet led the Wildcats with two shot attempts, one on target, in 43 minutes of action.

In Saturday's matchup at Saints Field, CWU held a slight edge in shots, 14-12, in a game where both sides created strong scoring chances. After a scoreless first half, Kelsey Fulton broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, rifling a shot past the keeper off an assist from Haley Engstrom. Just four minutes later, Briana-Jean Tanaka leveled the match for the Saints, scoring in the 59th minute on a pass from Eve Charles. Goalkeeper Leighton Menge came up with three crucial saves for CWU. Jaylee Reynolds paced the Wildcats' attack with four shot attempts, including two on goal, in 67 minutes of play.
 
 
SCOUTING THE YELLOWJACKETS
Montana State Billings hosted a pair of matches last week, falling 4-0 to Western Washington on Thursday, Oct. 2, and 2-0 to Simon Fraser on Saturday, Oct. 4, at Yellowjacket Soccer Field.

In Thursday's matchup, the Yellowjackets were outshot 24-3 by the Vikings. Claire Potter opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, finishing a pass from Morgan Manalili and Reese Waloker. Layne Davis doubled the lead in the 36th minute with a powerful strike past the keeper. WWU continued to apply pressure in the second half, with Emily Holdridge adding a third goal in the 54th minute. Potter capped the scoring in the 63rd minute with her second goal of the match, once again assisted by Manalili. Goalkeeper Natalie Weinmaster recorded four saves for MSUB. Liberty Palmer led the Yellowjackets with two shot attempts in 73 minutes of play.

On Saturday, MSUB looked more aggressive offensively, outshooting Simon Fraser 11-10 but ultimately fell 2-0. Just before halftime, Sarah Caravatta put the Red Leafs on the board in the 45th minute, finishing a pass from Kaiden Sherwood and Jensa Napier-Ganley. Simon Fraser added a second goal in the 56th minute, as Abbey Simpson slotted one home off an assist from Sofia Faremo. Emma Powell made three saves in goal for the Yellowjackets. Palmer once again led the attack, recording five shots, three on target, over a full 90 minutes. Cesia Swain added four shots, with two on goal, in 77 minutes of action.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES
The Wildcats hold a 14-16-3 all-time record against the Yellowjackets, with their most recent meeting resulting in a 1-1 draw on November 2, 2024, in Ellensburg, Washington. CWU is 9-5-2 all-time at home against MSUB and will look to build on that success Thursday afternoon
 

SCOUTING THE FALCONS
Seattle Pacific hosted a pair of matches last week, playing to a 0-0 draw against Simon Fraser on Thursday, Oct. 2, before falling 3-0 to Western Washington on Saturday, Oct. 4, at Interbay Soccer Stadium.

In Thursday's scoreless draw against the Red Leafs, the Falcons outshot their opponents 16-13 but were unable to convert any chances. Goalkeepers Mercedes Cullen and Landry Schoennauer split time in goal, with Cullen making four saves in the first half and Schoennauer adding three in the second, combining for the clean sheet. Taylore Krueger led SPU with three shot attempts, two on target, in 68 minutes of play. Nora Patterson added five shots, one on goal, in 44 minutes of action.

On Saturday, the Falcons were outshot 11-9 by Western Washington in a match where both teams created chances, but SPU couldn't find the net. Morgan Manalili opened the scoring for the Vikings in the 16th minute with a strike off an assist from Emily Holdridge. Manalili added her second goal in the 32nd minute, converting from the penalty spot. Mie Cairns extended the lead to 3-0 in the 37th minute on an assist from Emily Rice. Cullen and Schoennauer again shared time in goal, with Cullen making two saves in the first half and Schoennauer recording one in the second. Kayla Wallace led the Falcons' offense with three shots on goal in 60 minutes of play. Patterson added two shots, both on target, in 46 minutes.
 
 ALL-TIME SERIES
The 'Cats hold a 6-34-5 all-time record against the Falcons, with their most recent meeting ending in a 2-1 loss on October 31, 2024, in Ellensburg. Central is 2-15-3 all-time at home against SPU and will look to pull off the upset on Saturday afternoon.  
 

UP NEXT
The Crimson and Black hit the road next, traveling to Burnaby, British Columbia, on Thursday, Oct. 16 for a matchup against Simon Fraser at SFU Stadium at Terry Fox Field, with kickoff set for 6:00 p.m. The road trip continues on Saturday, Oct. 18, as the Wildcats head to Nampa, Idaho, to face Northwest Nazarene at NNU Soccer & Lacrosse Field at 11:30 a.m.