ELLENSBURG, Wash.- The Central Washington University women's soccer team (4-6-6, 2-6-5 GNAC) closed out Senior Day with a 1-0 shutout victory over Northwest Nazarene University (5-10-2, 4-7-2 GNAC) on Thursday evening. Senior Casey Park broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute, curling a well-placed free kick into the net from 22 yards out. Fellow senior Annelise Bauman anchored the defense and earned the clean sheet, as both Wildcats capped their final home game in style.
 
FIRST HALF
The first half remained scoreless, though both teams created quality scoring chances, with NNU holding a slight 4-3 edge in shots. In the 4th minute, Kelsey Fulton sent an attempt just over the crossbar, while Casey Park's shot in the 33rd minute missed wide right. NNU's best opportunity came in the 44th minute when Kaslee Roskelley's shot on goal forced a key save from Danika Galbraith to keep the match level heading into halftime.
 
SECOND HALF
Central created several strong scoring chances in the second half. In the 48th minute, Casey Park tested goalkeeper Alex Barrass with a shot on target, followed by another save from Barrass on Peyton Wilson's attempt just four minutes later. Savanna Herz added pressure in the 67th minute with a driven shot to the bottom left corner, forcing a stop from Galbraith. The breakthrough came in the 82nd minute when Park buried a free kick from 22 yards out, curling it around the keeper into the top right corner. Northwest Nazarene nearly leveled the match in the 89th minute, but Galbraith made a crucial save on Alexis Cromwell's shot to preserve the clean sheet. Both teams finished the half with four shots apiece. Galbraith recorded three saves in the half to secure the win, while Park led the Wildcats with three shots, two on target, and the game-winning goal in 83 minutes of play.
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH JOHN HAWKS
"With tonight's win this is the first winning record at home since 2019…This one's for our captains Annelise Bauman and Casey Park!

The two of them will forever be the cornerstone to the foundation of the championship program we are building…Go Cats!"
 
UP NEXT
The Wildcats wrap up the regular season on Saturday, November 8, traveling to Bellingham to take on rival Western Washington. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Harrington Field.