MONMOUTH, Ore. – Going into their match against Western Oregon (3-6-3), the Wildcats (5-5-2) were riding a two-game win streak but ultimately couldn't keep the momentum rolling against the Wolves. The 'Cats fell short to the Wolves, losing 1-3 after three straight goals from WOU. While there was no shortage of shot attempts for the Wildcats with 17, they couldn't find the back of the net until the 87
th minute of the match off the boot of
Emma Barrett. The Wildcats still sit in fourth place in the GNAC with 17 points, with hopes of rising to third place in the conference.
QUOTING HEAD SOCCER COACH JOHN HAWKS:
"Really proud of our group's response and how they competed until the very end. Unfortunately, we deferred to them out of the gate, and credit to WOU, they came out fast and played some great ball in the first half and the game as a whole. We will learn from how we showed up in the first half and, most importantly, how we chose to respond in the second. The momentum and ball we leaned into in the second half was quality! This game was a great test and lesson we will be stronger for as we shift our focus to next week and NNU ... Go 'Cats!
FIRST HALF.
Western Oregon's Kyra DiBenedetto wasted little time getting the Wolves on the scoreboard, breaking the scoring open in the sixth minute of the match for a quick 1-0 lead. Both the Wolves and 'Cats were going back and forth with shot attempts as the Wildcats finished the first half with seven compared to WOU's nine. The Wolves managed to get another goal right before halftime at the 41-minute mark off the foot of Leiloa Fesolai to make the score 2-0 in favor of WOU. Goalie Ayanah Soon had four saves in the first half, keeping the net clean and not allowing any first-half goals heading into halftime.
Danika Galbraith was also doing all she could despite the number of shots coming her way, as she finished the first half with three saves.
SECOND HALF:
The Wildcats' defensive struggles bled into the early portion of the second half with them committing a penalty inside the penalty area, giving the Wolves a penalty kick opportunity. Dibenedetto took advantage of the opportunity and scored the goal, sneaking it past Galbraith. The 'Cats continued to put shots up, not giving up on the match as they attempted ten shots in the second half. Soon continued her impressive goalie play into the second half, finishing the night with nine saves before she was subbed out for Jasmine Espinoza at the 75
th minute. A shot finally landed for the Wildcats once Soon exited the game as
Emma Barrett scored in the 87
th minute with an assist from
Marisa Badillo. At that point, it was too little, too late as the 'Cats lost 1-3, moving them to 5-5-2 in conference play.
UP NEXT:
Central Washington has one more road match in the regular season as they travel East to take on Northwest Nazarene University (4-6-2), who sits just one win behind the Wildcats in the GNAC standings. That match will take place at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29. A win for the Nighthawks would tie them with Central for fourth place in the conference. Following that match will be the final game of GNAC play as the 'Cats cap it off with senior day and a rival match versus Western Washington University (11-0-1) on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 11 a.m.
