CENTRAL SOCCER PLAYS TO SCORELESS DRAW WITH RIVAL WESTERN
Wildcats Keep Vikings Off Scoreboard to Earn First GNAC Point of 2009

BELLINGHAM (Sept. 19) -- Senior Amber Easterbrook (Kent/Kentwood HS) made four saves en route to her 17th career shutout, as the Central Washington University women's soccer team played to a scoreless tie with rival Western Washington University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action at Orca Field on Saturday.

The tie is the first GNAC point for the Wildcats, who are now 3-5-1 overall and 0-1-1 in GNAC play. Western, which was one of the final 16 teams in the NCAA Division II tournament last season, is now 3-2-2 overall and 2-0-1 in conference play.

Easterbrook and the Wildcats overcame a 20-7 shot disadvantage, including a 9-0 shooting deficit after the first half on Saturday. Each team then had six shot attempts in the second half and one each in the first overtime before the host Vikings had four tries -- including two on goal -- in the second overtime.

"We played very well in the second half, and in overtime," said CWU head coach Michael Farrand. "We had some chances to win the game and did a good job to overcome a shaky and unsteady first half."

According to Farrand, the Wildcats' best scoring opportunity came in the second half when sophomore Serena Tomaso (Enumclaw) had a one-on-one chance at the 60th minute. Her shot from 12 yards out hit the post and came back into play. Central also had two shots on the goal in the second period, but both were saved by Western keeper Kylie Broadbent.

CWU was credited with just one shot attempts in the two overtime periods -- a try by freshman Estelle Hage (Seattle/Mount Rainier HS) that sailed wide at the 97th minute.

Statistically, Western Washington had the advantage in nearly every category. The Vikings finished with a 6-2 edge in corner kicks and Central was whistled for 12 fouls to Western's five.

Central Washington will continue conference play on the road next Saturday night (Sept. 26), visiting top-ranked and defending national champion Seattle Pacific at 7:30 p.m. The Wildcats' next home match is Oct. 8 against Western Oregon.

BOX SCORE:
Central Washington 0, Western Washington 0 (2 OT)