ELLENBURG, Wash. – Coming off an impressive week with a tie against a ranked opponent in Simon Fraser and a win against Northwest Nazarene University, the 'Cats (3-7-4, 3-4-2) were looking for a win against Seattle Pacific (8-3-2, 5-2-2) for a chance to catapult them into a tie for third place in the GNAC. However, CWU fell just short to the Falcons 2-1 due to a goal within the last 15 minutes from the foot of Maddie Cooke. As a result of that loss, the Wildcats are now tied with Northwest Nazarene University for fourth place in the GNAC with 11 points.
QUOTING HEAD SOCCER COACH JOHN HAWKS:
"Two high-caliber teams playing high-level GNAC ball! Proud of our team's effort and ability to get stronger as the game goes on and compete for a full 90! We will learn from the lessons in tonight's match and be better for it as we regroup and shift our focus to MSUB come Saturday."
FIRST HALF:
Defense was the name of the game early on as both teams were flying to the ball defensively to keep each other at bay. After both teams got their feet under themselves, shots were flying, and eventually one fell at the 26th minute. The goal came off the boot of Raeah Raymondo and was assisted by Logann Dukes to break the scoring open. The shot attempts for both teams were nearly even at halftime, as the Wildcats were able to get off eight shots to barely trail the Falcons' nine. Both goalies in the first half had plenty of impressive saves, as CWU Goalkeeper
Danika Galbraith had five saves in the first half compared to Celia Ramos's four. Heading into the half, the Wildcats trailed 0-1 and had to game plan a way to get the ball past the SPU defense.
SECOND HALF:
Both teams once again were playing strong defense to start the half, as nothing was coming easily offensively from either side. Come the 70th-minute mark, the Wildcats were able to finally strike with a goal thanks to
Jaylee Reynolds nailing a deep shot to get past SPU's second-half goalie, Landry Schoennauer. Freshman Forward
Alexa Stanfield was there to poke the ball through to Reynolds for the assist on the play, and Tomlinson Stadium erupted with cheers as the Wildcats had tied the Falcons 1-1. Seattle Pacific University wasted no time striking back with a goal of their own five minutes later off the right foot of Maddie Cooke. Despite the goal getting past her, Galbraith still recorded another five saves in the second half, bringing her total to 10 on the night. As the final 15 minutes of play ticked away, the Wildcats couldn't manage another goal to tie up the game. As the final horn rang, the score was 2-1 in favor of the Falcons, boosting them to second place with 17 season points compared to the Wildcats 11, good enough for a fourth-place tie in the standings.
SERIES HISTORY:
SPU leads all-time series 38-6-5
In Ellensburg: SPU leads series 17-2-3
SPU has won six straight vs. CWU
NEXT UP:
The Wildcats are back in action at Tomlinson Stadium at 11 a.m., where they will host the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets in hopes of moving closer to third place in the GNAC standings. The 'Cats sit at 11 points compared to third-place Simon Fraser University's 17.
