Saint Martin's Women's Soccer Clinches Season Finale with Victorious Home Game Against CWU Wildcats
IN BRIEF | |
| Date | November 9 |
| Location | Saints Field |
| Final Score | Saint Martin's 2 - Central Washington 1 |
| Key Players | Eve Charles, Allysa Carapia |
| Game Highlights | Eve Charles scores early; Allysa Carapia nets the winner |
| Goalkeeper Contributions | Flavia Burrell and Mallory Patzer share duties |
| Season Record | 3-8-3 in GNAC |
| Notable Achievements | Improvement from last season with key victories |
The thrilling atmosphere at Saints Field was palpable as Saint Martin's women's soccer team wrapped up their season with an exhilarating 2-1 triumph over the CWU Wildcats. It was a fitting end to a challenging season, marking their first home victory with goals from Eve Charles and Allysa Carapia, sealing a memorable game on November 9. This victory not only showcased the resilience of the Saints but also their determination to finish strong, leaving fans in high spirits as the final whistle blew.
In a thrilling season finale, the Saint Martin's University women's soccer team ended their campaign on a high note by defeating the Central Washington University Wildcats 2-1 at Saints Field. This victory marked their third win of the season, showcasing impressive performances from players like Eve Charles and Allysa Carapia, who spearheaded the team's triumph.
Match Overview: An Exciting Battle
The Saints' women's soccer team can take pride in their performance during their last game of the season, held on November 9 at the Saints Field. Against the winless Central Washington University Wildcats, the Saints emerged victorious with a score of 2-1, ending the season with a morale-boosting home win. Their strategy paid off as they claimed their third overall victory and wrapped up the season with style.
Key Moments and Star Performers
Opening Goal by Eve Charles
The match kicked off with an early goal from Eve Charles, who made her mark just under six minutes after the whistle blew. Her remarkable solo run along the right flank left the defenders dazzled. From just near the edge of the penalty box, Charles unleashed a fierce shot to the near post, outsmarting the Wildcats' keeper and securing an early lead for the Saints.
Wildcats' Reply and Equalizer
Despite the rainy weather affecting both teams' gameplay, the Saints maintained their lead until halftime. However, the Wildcats seized an opportunity in the second half. After dominating possession, they equalized at the 65th minute. Central Washington’s Shannah Mellick capitalized on a botched counterattack, chipping the ball past the Saints' keeper from 40 yards out, making it 1-1.
The Decisive Goal: Carapia's Heroic Finish
The Saints were determined to end their season with a victory. Their efforts were rewarded in the 82nd minute when senior defender Allysa Carapia, unmarked in the box, received a deflected low cross from right back Taylor Copeland. With precision, Carapia found the net for her first goal of the season, sealing the win for the Saints.
Behind the Scenes: Goalkeeping Challenges
First-choice goalkeeper Flavia Burrell and junior understudy Mallory Patzer both shared time defending the goalposts. While each played a half, Patzer faced more action, making two critical saves in the second half, including a remarkable 84th-minute stop to prevent a potential equalizer by the Wildcats and secure all three points for the Saints.
Season Recap and Future Prospects
The Saints finished second last in the conference with a 3-8-3 record in the GNAC, sharing 12 points with Northwest Nazarene but edging closer due to their victories. This represents an improvement from their previous season, where they finished at the bottom with only one win and six draws. Notable highlights include their upset win over the #3 seed Seattle Pacific and a thrilling 3-3 draw with #2 seed Simon Fraser, as chronicled in the full match report.
GNAC Playoffs and Top Teams
The regular season saw Western Washington University claim the championship with an undefeated 11-0-3 record. They will join Simon Fraser, Seattle Pacific, and Western Oregon in the GNAC playoffs, as detailed in the standings.
Additional Highlights and Video Footage
For more in-depth highlights, fans can access a video recap of the season’s critical plays captured in a thrilling finale found here.
Explore further into the season's journey by visiting additional reports and analyses via the GNAC sports network.
Saint Martin's Victory Over CWU Wildcats
| Aspect | Details |
| Match Date | November 9 |
| Final Score | 2-1 |
| Location | Saints Field |
| Saints Goal Scorers | Eve Charles, Allysa Carapia |
| Wildcard Goals | Shannah Mellick |
| Season Record | 3-8-3 |
| Half-time Status | Saints leading 1-0 |
| Key Saves | Mallory Patzer's crucial saves |
| Unbeaten Streak Broken | Seattle Pacific's streak snapped earlier |
| Rain Effect | Impacted midfield control |
- Match Date: November 9
- Location: Saints Field
- Final Score: 2-1
- Opposing Team: Central Washington University Wildcats
- First Goal Scorer: Eve Charles
- Winning Goal Scorer: Allysa Carapia
- Key Play: Deflected cross by Taylor Copeland
- Goalkeeping Duo: Flavia Burrell, Mallory Patzer
- Season Record: 3-8-3
- Conference Finish: Second last