ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Oct. 22) – The Central Washington University soccer team played to a 1-1 draw against Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponent Seattle Pacific. The Wildcats are now 5-8-1 on the season and 3-5-1 in GNAC play. The Falcons move to 9-3-2 overall, with a 5-3-2 record in GNAC meetings.
"We came out with a great game plan," CWU Head Coach
Michael Farrand said. "I thought we played the way I thought we should play and took away what they wanted to do. We played pretty much in their half. Reilly took a chance put a ball on frame and it went in."
The draw gives the Wildcats 10 points on the season, three behind Montana State Billings and Simon Fraser. Central Washington faces SFU on Saturday in Ellensburg and has a game in hand to Montana State Billings.
"We are excited for what's next," M. Farrand acknowledged. "We have the game on Saturday against the team that is ahead of us by three points. We had a chance to take control of what we were going to do and now we are chasing points to see if we can get into the playoffs again."
The Wildcats controlled play in the first half, culminating in a goal by
Reilly Retz. Retz took a pass from
Abbie Litka, following a free kick, and blasted a shot from 34 yards away. Falcons' keeper Molly Stinson got a hand on it, but it was not enough to prevent the ball from crossing the goal line with just 14 seconds left on the clock.
"I realized we had an opportunity to do something with it, rather than just sending the ball in," Retz said afterward. "Abbie [Litka] played a great ball in, I was just trying to set my teammates up and it went in."
Central generated eight shots in the first half and allowed just four. The Wildcats took two corners and did not concede any.
Hannah Huesers wasted no time responding. Huesers got control of the ball 45 yards out, dribbled through the defense, and chipped the keeper to level the score at 1-1 in the 47
th minute.
Momentum swung to Seattle Pacific in the second half. The Falcons sent a barrage of 10 shots towards the Wildcats' net, while they allowed just three.
Alyssa Navlet helped keep the score level in the 73
rd minute. Mickayla Mury fired a shot towards an open net, but Navlet's kick save kept the game even.
Central Washington generated three consecutive corners in the first overtime.
"If you look at it we get three legit chances [in overtime],"M. Farrand added. "Whit [Lowe] gets the ball and she dribbles square instead of shooting. Mackenzie, I thought, finished two very good balls. The one off the post with her left foot, which is a great shot for her. Then second OT a knee save by the keeper. I thought she got two real chances and did well with those chances."
On the second corner in the first overtime period
Keilin Farrand found the head of Litka, but SPU keeper Molly Stinson swept the shot away for another CWU corner. K. Farrand served another corner in, this Litka's header missed wide left.
"We played in their half in both of the overtimes," Retz added. "We started to get back to central soccer, play the ball around and attack inside out. We got a couple crosses in but couldn't finish."
In the second overtime period
Sydney Williams stopped Huesers on a breakaway in the 103
rd minute to keep the game going.
"Shes had a great year for us coming back," M. Farrand noted. "I think we got beat on the play and she cleaned it up really well."
Williams made seven saves in the contest.
Huesers took seven shots, three of which were on goal.
Mackenzie Nolte led the Wildcats with four shots.
The Wildcats finished with 17 shots, six on net, and they took six corners while conceding only three.
"We have to win," Retz said. "Even before this game we said we need to win out. Getting the tie, while it wasn't ideal, it was good that we got the point. Now we need to come in Saturday to do everything in our power to win and that's coming ready to play, I know we can do that."
Central Washington will be back in action on Saturday (Oct. 24) in Ellensburg for a crucial late season fixture against Simon Fraser University.
