Hannah Greene | Sports Editor

The night left the morning grass tickled with water, making for a slick game, the skies filled with gray — it was a perfect day for some soccer. The Western Oregon Women’s soccer team hosted Central Washington on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. for their final home game before leaving for GNAC Championships.

The first half consisted of a tough battle, both opponents doing whatever they could to keep the ball out of their half. Three minutes before the half concluded — Alyssa Tomasini, a junior forward, scored her second goal — a goal that defeated all odds, driving it in from a corner kick, Wolves ahead 2-1. 

Leading by only one, the Wolves’ defense began to play frantic and only kicked the ball forward creating multiple 50/50 chances, rather than playing the ball from side to side to maintain possession. The Wolves’ offense stayed knit and kept up the pressure to make for more shots on goal, testing the Wildcats goalkeeper.

The second half started with Western and Central giving the crowd more of a kickball game with the ball switching from end to end, no passes to feet or connection among either team. Many opportunities were generated, but no finishes. 

At 28 minutes, Central made consecutive substitutions to give their team fresh legs against the worn Wolves; this had no impact.

A few minutes later, the Wolves switched the ball to Isabelle Creighton, a senior forward, who then beat the Wildcats’ defenders to cross the ball into Kennedy Clay, a junior forward, who headed the ball into the back of the net — Wolves ahead 3-1. 

Central kept up their attack even though Western had all the momentum. Many chances were built up from the Wildcats’ defense, but their offense couldn’t find a finish. The Wolves’ defense held strong and stopped numerous attacks, creating a harder wall for the Wildcats to break through.

The countdown began: five, four, three, two, one — Western Oregon Wolves finished their final conference game with a 3-1 win in the bag.

The Wolves leave for Seattle to finish off their season in the GNAC Championship tournament on Nov. 14 to play Seattle Pacific University — a team they played twice during conference. The Wolves are returning to the tournament after a six year gap.

Contact the author at hgreene18@wou.edu

Photos by Hannah Greene