ELLENSBURG, Wash.- The Central Washington University women's soccer team (4-6-6, 2-6-5 GNAC) is set to take on #12 Western Washington University (12-1-5, 10-0-3 GNAC) on Saturday, November 8, in the final regular-season match of 2025 in Bellingham, Washington. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Harrington Field.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats are coming off of an impressive 1-0 victory against Northwest Nazarene on Thursday evening at home.

Against the Nighthawks, the first half ended scoreless despite quality chances from both sides, with NNU holding a slight 4–3 advantage in shots. In the 4th minute, Kelsey Fulton sent a shot just over the crossbar, while Casey Park's 33rd-minute effort went wide right. NNU's best look came in the 44th minute when Kaslee Roskelley's shot on target forced a key save from Danika Galbraith, keeping the match level at halftime.

Central applied steady pressure in the second half, generating several dangerous opportunities. In the 48th minute, Park tested goalkeeper Alex Barrass with a shot on frame, followed four minutes later by another save on Peyton Wilson's attempt. Savanna Herz added to the attack in the 67th minute, driving a shot toward the bottom left corner that Galbraith turned aside.

The breakthrough finally came in the 82nd minute when Park buried a free kick from 22 yards out, curling it around the wall and into the top right corner. NNU nearly equalized in the 89th minute, but Galbraith came up with a crucial stop on Alexis Cromwell's shot to preserve the shutout.

Both teams tallied four shots in the second half. Galbraith finished with three saves to secure the clean sheet, 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 the remaining 2 games of our season we look to close this fall out with complete performances, building off Saturdays match…. We will finish strong for our captains/seniors and what this team is becoming as we build a championship program…Go Cats!"
 
SCOUTING THE VIKINGS
Western Washington is coming off an impressive homestand last week, earning back-to-back victories over Seattle Pacific and Montana State Billings. The Vikings opened the week with a 2-0 win against the Falcons on Thursday, Oct. 30, followed by a 2-1 triumph over the Yellowjackets on Saturday, Nov. 1.

Against Seattle Pacific, Claire Potter put WWU on the board in the 6th minute, finishing a well-placed pass from Emily Rice and Olivia Connell. Potter doubled the lead in the 17th minute, converting again, this time off an assist from Emily Holdridge. The Vikings controlled the match, outshooting the Falcons 18-9 and capitalizing on key opportunities. Goalkeeper Ellie McGowan made two saves to secure the shutout, while Potter led the attack with five shots, including two on goal, in 65 minutes of play. Morgan Manalili added five shots, three on target, across 67 minutes.

In Saturday's matchup against Montana State Billings, Triya Mitchell struck early for WWU, finding the back of the net in the 5th minute on an assist from Kascia Muscutt. The Yellowjackets equalized in the 24th minute when Kambryn Smith's shot deflected in off the post. The Vikings regained the lead in the 67th minute as Manalili buried the game-winner off a setup from Potter. Western outshot MSUB 16-9 and made the most of its chances to secure the win. McGowan recorded four key saves, while Manalili paced the Vikings with five shots (one on goal) in 80 minutes, and Potter added four attempts, three on target, in 75 minutes of action.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES
The Wildcats hold a 3-38-7 all-time record against Western Washington, with the most recent meeting ending in a 0-0 draw in Ellensburg on Sept. 27, 2025. CWU is 1-18-3 all-time on the road against the Vikings and will look to pull off the upset on Saturday afternoon.
 
UP NEXT
The Wildcats are set to return to action for the 2026 season!