Central soccer misses shot at postseason

BILLINGS, Mont. — Central Washington, hoping to enhance its NCAA Division II playoff hopes Thursday, came up empty in its showdown with Montana State Billings.

The Wildcats scored an own goal and a sloppy exchange from their goalkeeper to a defender allowed another in a 3-0 GNAC loss to the Yellowjackets.

“I am disappointed,” CWU coach Michael Farrand said in a university press release. “We had a chance to do something really special; we had a shot at postseason play, and we missed it.”

The defeat dropped Central to 7-3-2 in the conference and 8-4-4 overall while MSUB leapfrogged the Wildcats into second place in the conference at 7-1-4 and 10-2-4.

After CWU defender Allie Washburn attempted to stop a crossing pass and deflected the ball into the Wildcats’ net, goalkeeper Kayla Lipston’s pass to a teammate was intercepted and converted into a Yellowjacket goal and a 2-0 halftime deficit for Central.

West Valley graduate Adrienne Biglow then assisted on MSUB’s final goal which came early in the second half from Kristen Kastelic.

First half: 1, MSUB, own goal, 28:46; 2, MSUB, Jaucelyn Richter (Heidi Greenback), 33:22.

Second half: 3, MSUB, Kristen Kastelic (Adrienne Biglow), 48:29.

Saves: Kayla Lipston (CWU) 4; Danielle Gordon (MSUB) 3.

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL

Smith leads Central past Saints

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Erin Smith put down 10 kills and produced seven blocks Thursday night, leading Central Washington to a 3-0 sweep of Saint Martin’s in GNAC volleyball in Nicholson Pavilion.

Smith, a sophomore from Selah, keyed CWU’s 25-23, 25-17, 25-22 triumph.

The win improved the Wildcats to 6-7 in the conference and 12-9 overall. Central hosts Western Oregon on Saturday night.

CWU highlights: Erin Smith 10 kills, 7 blocks; Meg Ryan 10 kills, 9 digs; Jordan Offutt 6 kills, 3 blocks, 9 digs; Cheltzie Willams 5 kills, 2 blocks; Carlee Marble 22 assists; Devin Larson 13 assists; Kaely Kight 25 digs.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Early trick-or-treat for Wildcats

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Central Washington’s women’s basketball players will commemorate Halloween a day early by visiting local neighborhoods Sunday in search of canned goods for the FISH food bank.

FISH, or Friends In Service to Humanity, is in its 40th year of operation and is said to have served 1,704 people in 619 households last August.

CWU players will travel in pairs starting at 5:30 p.m., and will wear costumes.

Residents not planning to be home but wishing to contribute can either leave donations on their porches or take them to Nicholson Pavilion on Monday morning.