MATCH #9
Western Oregon (4-4-0, 1-2-0 GNAC) at Central Washington (6-2-0, 1-1-0 GNAC)
Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, at 3 p.m. PT
Ellensburg, Wash. – CWU Soccer Field
LIVE STATS/VIDEO
 
MATCH #10
Western Oregon (4-4-0, 1-2-0 GNAC) at Simon Fraser (3-2-1, 1-1-0 GNAC)
Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at 12 p.m. PT
Burnaby, B.C. – Terry Fox Field
LIVE STATS | LIVE SFU VIDEO
 
GNAC ROADIE
Western Oregon will play two matches in GNAC play this week – on Thursday (Sept. 29) against Central Washington at 3 p.m. and on Saturday (Oct.1) at Simon Fraser at 12 p.m. Both matches will have video and live stats on WOUWolves.com/Live.
 
LAST TIME OUT: ROAD LOSS, YOUTH DAY WIN
WOU wrapped up GNAC play last week with a 1-1 record with a 3-1 loss at Montana State Billings on Thursday and a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Northwest Nazarene on Saturday afternoon. Taylor Higa had the lone goal at MSUB. Phoebe Hendry scored her first goal of the season in the first half, and Mariah Konyn recorded the game-winner in the second half. Higa and Meli Cortez had the assists in Saturday's win.
 
CONFERENCE LEADERS
The Wolves are the GNAC leaders in saves with 52 overall and a 6.5 per game average. Individually, Taylor Higa is atop the league in points (10) and goals (4), while sitting in the top three in shots (24) and points per game (1.25). Caitlin Kastelic in third is the GNAC in saves per game (5.17) and fourth in overall saves with 31.

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 close out a three-match road span with an Oct. 6 matchup at Saint Martin's before returning home for a special Sunday match on Oct. 9 against Central Washington at 12 p.m.

ABOUT CENTRAL WASHINGTON
The Wildcats (6-2-0) won their first six matches of the year, dropped two straight (including their GNAC opener to Simon Fraser), but rebounded with a 1-0 win over Seattle Pacific last Saturday. Keilin Farrand and Mackenzie Nolte each have two goals for CWU while Farrand has two assists to hold the points lead with six. Emily Holt has started all eight matches for CWU posting a 0.75 GAA with 46 saves.
 
All-time Series: Western Oregon leads 16-12-7
Last Meeting: Oct. 3, 2015, Western Oregon won 2-1 in Monmouth

ABOUT SIMON FRASER
Simon Fraser (3-2-1) split their GNAC matches last week defeating Central Washington on the road before falling to Western Washington at home, 1-0. The Clan have not been able to put a winning streak together, but also have a claim of not posting consecutive losses. Emma Pringle has been the goal-scoring threat for SFU with four goals on 24 shots so far. Olivia Aguiar has the other goal on the season. Goalkeeper Priya Sandhu has allowed just five goals in over 562 minutes of work, a 0.80 GAA.
 
All-time Series: Simon Fraser leads 9-6-2
Last Meeting: Oct. 31, 2015, Western Oregon won 2-1 (2OT) in Burnaby