TUKWILA, Wash (Nov. 6) – The Central Washington University women's soccer team has concluded its season with a 2-1 loss against the No. 1 seed Western Washington University in the semifinal matchup in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament.

The Wildcats finish the season with a record of 8-8-3 overall and 7-4-3 in the GNAC, while the Vikings climb to 16-0-3 overall, and 11-0-3 in conference. The Vikings will battle Seattle Pacific University for the GNAC crown Saturday, as the winner will earn an automatic berth into the NCAA Division II West Regional tournament.

The Wildcats jumped out of the gate in a hurry in the semifinal matchup. They earned the first two set-pieces of the game, one of which led to a header by Hadli Farrand that was shot wide left. The Vikings would control the pace and possession of the half from then on.

Western Washington outshot the Central 13-to-4 in the first half and took four corners to the Wildcats' three. The zero-zero tie was broken in the 24^th minute when a Viking forward broke through the left flank and created a frenzy in the box which ended with a goal that beat Kayla Lipston to her left.
Central Washington broke out of the second half looking to take the offensive.

Danielle Brandli narrowly missed the equalizing goal in the 61^st minute when she shot a laser that sailed right over the outstretched arms of the Vikings' keeper and out of play.

Again, the Wildcats applied pressure in the 72^nd minute when GNAC Freshman of the Year, Mackenzie Nolte, drilled a left footed shot that grazed over the cross bar.

Lipston ended her night with seven saves and none was bigger than her point blank save late in the second half to keep the game at 1-0.

The Wildcats finally equalized in the 74^th minute. Keilin Farrand looked to cross the ball from the right side of the box and ended up with her third goal of the season.

Just four minutes later the Vikings would score what proved to be the game-winner. A Vikings' attack down the right side of the field ended with a cutback to the middle and a score.

This marks the second consecutive season the Wildcats have reached the GNAC tournament.