WILDCATS FALL IN DOUBLE OVERTIME TO 18TH-RANKED UC SAN DIEGO, 2-1
Central Shows Significant Improvement in One-Goal Loss to Tritons LA JOLLA, Calif. (Aug. 29) -- Junior
Kaycie Hutchins (Port Orchard/Bellarmine Prep) scored at the 73rd minute to tie the score, and Central Washington had multiple opportunities to win in the first overtime, but the Wildcats eventually fell to 18th-ranked UC San Diego, 2-1 in double overtime, on Saturday night at Triton Soccer Field.
The Wildcats, who fell to 0-2-0 on the season, broke a scoreless drought in the head-to-head series with the Tritons. Hutchins' goal, the ninth of her career, was the first goal scored by CWU in five all-time meetings with UCSD.
"Tonight was a night and day difference from Thursday night (a 4-0 loss at Cal State L.A.)," CWU head coach
Michael Farrand said. "We played a great second half and first overtime, and had chances to win the game. We just made a little mistake at the end (that enabled UC San Diego to win the game)."
The host Tritons scored first, going ahead in the sixth minute on a goal by Gabi Hernandez. UCSD held a 13-4 halftime edge in shot attempts, but CWU senior
Amber Easterbrook (Kent/Kentwood HS) made three saves before halftime, and the match remained a one-goal contest until Hutchins found the net from 35 yards away midway through the second period.
After neither team scored over the final 17-plus minutes of regulation, Central had a good chance to win the game in the first overtime period, with
Amy Pate (Federal Way/Thomas Jefferson HS) taking a shot attempt just 46 seconds into the first extra session and fellow sophomore
Katelyn Scobba (Vancouver/Prairie HS) also having a chance to score the game-winner.
In the second overtime period, UC San Diego's Sarah McTigue used a one-on-one move in the box against Easterbrook to score the game-winner.
"Overall, it was a 100 percent improvement over our opener," Farrand added. "We worked hard, and worked together throughout the entire match against a very good soccer club."
Hutchins keyed Central's offensive performance, netting three of the Wildcats' four shots on goal in the contest. Freshman
Kelsy Villegas (Graham/Graham-Kapowsin HS), who made her first collegiate start, was also credited with three shot attempts.
Central Washington will look to get into the win column for the first time on Monday afternoon (Aug. 31) as the Wildcats visit Cal Poly Pomona (2-0-0) for a noon kickoff. CWU will then have three more games on the road -- all back in the Pacific Northwest -- before their Sept. 11 home opener against Simon Fraser.
BOX SCORE: #18 UC San Diego 2, Central Washington 1 (2 OT)
