MATCH #13
Western Oregon (4-8-0, 1-6-0 GNAC) vs. #1 Western Washington (11-0-1, 6-0-0 GNAC)
Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, at 3 p.m. PT
Monmouth, Ore. – WOU Soccer Field
LIVE STATS
 
THIS WEEK: WOLVES WELCOME TOP-RANKED VIKINGS
The Western Oregon Wolves will play just one GNAC match this week. On Thursday (Oct.13), top-ranked Western Washington comes to Monmouth at 3 p.m. Pacific. The match will have live statistics on WOUWolves.com/Live.
 
CONFERENCE LEADERS
The Wolves are the GNAC leaders in saves with 89 overall and a 7.42 per game average. Individually, Taylor Higa is tied for the GNAC's lead points (15), is second in goal (6), and fourth in shots taken (37). Caitlin Kastelic in the GNAC leader in saves per game (80) and overall saves with 88.

ROSTER FAMILIARITY AND SOMETHING NEW
The Wolves' roster in 2016 features 15 letterwinners from last year's roster, but only three starters that appeared in every match. Seniors Mariah Konyn (1 goal, 2 assists), Taylor Higa (2 goals, 2 assists) and Dani Payne (1 goal) will see returning reserves assume starting spot and featured newcomers to bolster the WOU attack. Allison Sprecher is the club's returning leader in scoring with three goals over 17 matches. Highlighting the newcomers is Salem native Meli Cortez, who returns to the Willamette Valley after playing two seasons at Division I Idaho. Youth will also be prevalent for the Wolves as 10 freshmen comprise nearly half the roster.
 
YOUTH IN GOAL
Speaking of the freshmen, two will be charged with protecting shots from opponents this year for WOU - Caitlin Kastelic (Hillsboro) and Samantha Harris (Tualatin). Kastelic was a three-time league selection at Glencoe High School while Harris anchored the back line for perennial power Tualatin.
 
SISTER, SISTER
Mariah Konyn will have a familiar familial face with her on the WOU women's soccer team this season as her sister, Selene Konyn, joins the squad. Selene was a Midwestern League 1st-team selection, 2nd-team all-Oregon honors and a product of the Eugene Timbers Futbol Club.
 
UP NEXT
The Wolves will tackle their final split week of GNAC play this season. WOU travels to Portland to face Concordia on Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and will host Senior Day on Oct. 22 against Simon Fraser at 11 a.m. Pregame festivities on Saturday will begin approximately at 10:45 a.m.

ABOUT WESTERN WASHINGTON
They are No. 1 in the country for good reason. Western Washington has won 11 consecutive matches since a season-opening draw. The Vikings are the GNAC leaders in every offensive statistical category: shots, points, goals, assists, corner kicks and offsides. They have also faced the fewest amount of opponent shots (18) while posting nine shutout victories. Last week, WWU notched home wins over Montana State Billings (3-0) and Northwest Nazarene (5-0). Fifteen different WWU players have scored a goal, led by Caitlyn Jobanek with five. Gabriela Pelogi is the points leader with 12 (4 goals, 4 assists). Ashley Homer has posted seven shutouts and has allowed just three goals in 1,033 minutes.
 
All-time Series: Western Washington leads 35-6-1
Last Meeting: Sept. 17, 2016; #17 Western Washington won 2-0 in Bellingham