Box Score ELLENSBURG, Wash (Sept. 18) – The Central Washington University women's soccer team fell to No. 6 Western Washington University, 3-0, in the team's first Great Northwest Athletic Conference match.

The loss leaves the Wildcats 1-4-0 overall, 0-1-0 GNAC, and the Vikings climb to 5-0-0, 1-0-0 GNAC.

The Wildcats found themselves in an early hole as a breakdown in the defense allowed WWU to score in the third minute. The Vikings inflated their lead with goals in the 17^th and then a header off a Vikings' corner kick in the 24^th minute.

"We tried to slow this game down and not make it a kicking game," Head coach Michael Farrand said. "Holding the ball was a main part of our game plan."

The Wildcats tightened up their play in the second half. CWU limited the Vikings' attack with better possession play throughout the half.

"We didn't make many adjustments at half," Farrand explained. "We just went firmer on our game plan. That's who we are going to have to be, we have to be solid on our approach and solid in executing."

Keeper Kayla Lipston (Federal Way, WA, Decatur) racked up six saves on nine shots on goal by the Vikings. Western Washington managed to muster 17 total shots on the evening.

The Wildcats' best scoring oppritunity came in the second-half when a high-arching cross landed at the top of the box and Hadli Farrand (Ellensburg, WA, Ellensburg) corralled the ball and struck shot that sailed over the crossbar and an empty net.

"We didn't do the greatest job in the first half, but we got better in the second half," Farrand said.

The Wildcats will take the pitch again Saturday, Sept. 20, as they battle Simon Fraser University at the CWU Soccer Complex at Noon.

"Simon has a new coaching staff. They are changing the culture there," Farrand said. "They are going to be well prepared, we just have to focus on what we do well, and get our game on track."