ELLENSBURG, Wash. – With a tough, ranked opponent ahead of the 'Cats this week, they did not flinch. Central Soccer (2-6-4) hosted the #24 Simon Fraser Red Leafs (7-2-2) in a GNAC battle that did not disappoint as the 'Cats held their own for a tie, giving them a point to their season total. The match came to an end shortly after the Wildcats scored a miraculous last-second goal to tie the match 2-2.
QUOTING HEAD SOCCER COACH JOHN HAWKS:
"Big time moments and games require big time players! The women within the locker room are the real deal, and we will take pride in tonight. Tomorrow, we shift our focus to NNU and the second half of conference play … Go 'Cats!"
First Half:
After a competitive first 23 minutes of play, Simon Fraser found the net when Sofia Faremo was fed a pretty ball off the foot of Kierra Scott. The Wildcats didn't go away that easily, though, as they responded seven minutes later with a goal of their own.
Jaylee Reynolds executed the kick following the assist from
Shannah Mellick. Goalie Daniel Galbraith was also kept busy during the first half as she saved five goals on ten of the shots that came her way. The 'Cats, however, found six shot opportunities over the course of the first half but knew they were going to need more attempts and better execution if they wanted to continue to hang with such a tough opponent. The score was 1-1 as CWU and SFU entered halftime, both looking for an answer to pull away.
Second Half:
Simon Fraser wasted little time before getting back on the scoreboard in the second half. Eight minutes in, Sarah Caravatta found an open Sam Bouchard, who knocked it home for the goal. It was now time for both sides of the ball to step up for CWU if they wanted to remain in the game. Through adversity, the team held strong. Defense limited the Red Leafs to only six shot attempts, compared to their ten in the first half. On the other end, the offense found themselves a couple more open looks as well, with eight shot attempts compared to their six in the first half of play. There were five minutes left in the match, and the Wildcats were still trailing 1-2. It looked as if, without a miracle, the 'Cats were going to come up just short in a highly contested match. That was until, at the 86-minute mark,
Jaylee Reynolds snuck the ball to
Kylee Schreck for the game-tying goal as Tomlinson Stadium erupted in cheers. The 'Cats managed to pull off another tie against one of the best opponents in the conference to push them to an overall record of 2-6-4 and 2-3-2 in the conference. That tie gives them a point the season as well, tying them at eight with Northwest Nazarene ahead of a pivotal match this weekend against the Nighthawks.
Up Next:
The 'Cats shift their focus towards Northwest Nazarene (2-6-3) in a conference match that could decide the sole holder of fourth place in the GNAC. Kickoff is at 11 a.m. Saturday at Tomlinson Stadium, as the 'Cats look to bolster their season point total.
