BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The top-ranked Western Washington University women’s soccer team opened the preseason with a 4-1 victory over the University of the Fraser Valley Thursday evening in a cross-border friendly at Harrington Field.
The match does not count towards the official 2017 season statistics or record, and is one of three exhibition games leading up to the official season opener Aug. 31 at Notre Dame de Namur. Western will face the University of British Columbia (Aug. 22) and Trinity Western (Aug. 24) to wrap up the preseason.
The Vikings scored three first-half goals to take a 3-1 lead into halftime, and shut out the Cascades in the second half on the way to the 4-1 victory. Junior forward Jen Oak (Covington, WA/Kentwood/Whatcom CC) had a goal and an assist to lead the Vikings offensive barrage with three points. Senior midfielder Emily Webster (Bellingham, WA/Sehome), junior forward Mariah Roggow (Kelso, WA/ Oregon State) and junior forward Karli White (North Bend, WA/Mount Si/Seattle U.) also scored goals for the Vikings.
Overall WWU out-shot Fraser Valley 15-5, with a 12-2 advantage in shots on goal. Senior goalkeeper Ashley Homer (Puyallup, WA) netted the victory in goal with one save and one goal allowed.
WWU is ranked No. 1 in the United Soccer Coaches Division II preseason poll after winning the 2016 NCAA II National Championship.
