MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Central Washington University women's soccer team (1-0-1) closed the first weekend of the season with a 1-1 tie against the University of California, Merced (1-0-2) Saturday afternoon on the campus of Western Oregon University.
 
FIRST HALF
The first few minutes of the half were competitive with each team finding a couple chances. Central got a shot from Kelsey Fulton on a hard-angled shot that was easily saved by the UC Merced goaltender Alicia Lepe. The Bobcats then got a chance a few minutes later as Trinidad Quiroz took a pass deep in the CWU zone and took a shot that Wildcat goalie Leighton Menge couldn't handle that deflected into the back of the net to give the Bobcats the early 1-0 lead at the 7' minute mark. The remainder of the first half involved only one more shot for each team before heading into the halftime break.
 
SECOND HALF
UC Merced got the first chance of the second half at 51', as Quiroz got a shot off that went wide left. Then, in the 56' minute, the 'Cats got their chance as Jaylee Reynolds got fouled in the penalty box that gifted Central a penalty shot. Reynolds lined up and faked Lepe to the left as she gave a soft kick the rolled right into the bottom right corner of the Bobcats' net to tie the game at one goal apiece. Both teams had fair chances throughout the remainder of the match, but neither team could find the back of the net as the time expired–ending in a 1-1 tie.
 
UP NEXT
The Wildcats return to the 'Burg for their home opener–taking on Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday, Sep. 20. Kickoff from Tomlinson Field is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.