PORTLAND, Ore.- The Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) released its preseason Women's Soccer Coaches Poll on Tuesday afternoon, with the Central Washington Wildcats projected to finish seventh as they look to build on last season's foundation.

The Wildcats received 15 points in the poll, finishing just ahead of Saint Martin's. CWU opened its 2024 campaign with a thrilling 1-0 shutout victory on the road against Cal State Monterey Bay. They followed that performance with a strong defensive showing in a narrow 1-0 loss to nationally top-ranked Point Loma in Chula Vista, California.

Central finished the 2024 season with a 1-11-5 overall record (0-10-4 GNAC) and will look to turn the corner in 2025 under head coach John Hawks, who enters his first full season at the helm.

The Crimson and Black begin their 2025 regular season on Thursday, September 11^th, facing Eastern Oregon at the WOU Soccer Field in Monmouth, Oregon. Two days later, they remain in Monmouth to take on UC Merced on Saturday, September 13^th. The Wildcats return to Ellensburg for their home opener on Saturday, September 20^th, when they host Cal State Monterey Bay at the CWU Soccer Field.

GNAC play kicks off on Thursday, September 25^th, as CWU hosts Simon Fraser at 1:00 p.m. at Steve Hertling Field at Tomlinson Stadium. The Wildcats continue their homestand on Saturday, September 27^th, when they take on crosstown rival Western Washington at 11:00 a.m.

Among the key returners is standout goalkeeper Danika Galbraith, who led the GNAC and ranked 10th nationally with 7.64 saves per game last season. Also returning are honorable mention all-conference selections Shannah Mellick, who scored her first collegiate goal as a freshman, and Casey Park, who started 13 of 17 matches and tallied one goal in 2024.

Adding new talent to the roster, freshmen Gianna Doucette and Sadie Schaefer arrive in Ellensburg looking to make an immediate impact as the Wildcats aim to climb the GNAC standings this fall.
 
 
2025 GNAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
 

Rank	School (1st Place Votes)	Points	2024 Record
1	Western Washington (7)	63	14-4-5
2	Simon Fraser (1)	54	14-4-3
3	Seattle Pacific	50	9-3-7
4	Western Oregon	39	6-6-8
5	Northwest Nazarene	27	4-14
6	Montana State Billings	26	6-8-4
7	Central Washington	15	1-11-5
8	Saint Martin's	14	3-13-3

 
 
View the full GNAC release HERE