ELLENSBURG, Wash.- The Central Washington University women's soccer team (3-2-3, 1-2-2 GNAC) earned a decisive 3-0 home victory over Montana State University Billings (2-7-0, 1-4-0 GNAC) on Thursday afternoon at CWU Soccer Field. Emma Barrett, Jaylee Reynolds, and Sadie Schaefer powered the Wildcats' offense, each finding the back of the net in the shutout win.
 
FIRST HALF
The Wildcats came out firing, opening the scoring just two minutes into the match. Barrett buried a low shot into the bottom right corner off a well-placed through ball from Casey Park. Just three minutes later, Reynolds doubled CWU's lead, calmly slotting the ball past the MSUB goalkeeper in the 5th minute. Central outshot the Yellowjackets 9-8 in the first half, making the most of their early chances. Goalkeeper Danika Galbraith was key to preserving the lead, recording five first-half saves, including a crucial stop in the 9th minute on a shot from Liberty Palmer. Gianna Doucette tested the keeper with a powerful effort in the 16th minute, while Carmen Anderson forced another save in the 42nd with a shot on target.
 
SECOND HALF
Montana State Billings came out of the break pressing for a goal, registering a dangerous chance in the 55th minute when Kambryn Smith fired a shot on target, but CWU goalkeeper Galbraith was there to make the save. The Yellowjackets outshot the Wildcats 6-4 in the second half, continuing to test Galbraith, who made another key stop in the 63rd minute on an attempt from Liberty Palmer. In the 73rd minute, CWU was awarded a penalty after Abby Thompson committed a foul inside the box. Schaefer calmly stepped up and converted from the spot, tucking the ball into the bottom right corner to extend the Wildcats' lead to 3-0. Galbraith made four saves in the half, securing the clean sheet and sealing the win for Central.
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH JOHN HAWKS
"Great team win today…. Our group's ability to stay in it and believe in the process, regardless of the outcome, as we continue to refine who we are, is a reflection of our team over me mentality and our players owning their roles on and off the field! 

We'll enjoy this victory tonight and shift our focus tomorrow as we look to SPU at home on Saturday…Go Cats!"
 
UP NEXT  
The Wildcats return to action on Saturday, October 11, when they host Seattle Pacific at 11:00 a.m. at Steve Hertling Field inside Tomlinson Stadium.