Soccer defeats number six Seattle Pacific

by Jamie Marble

Staff Rporter

The Wildcats came out strong in their final home game of the 2009 season, defeating sixth ranked Seattle Pacific by a score of 3-1.

Saturday Oct. 31 was Senior Day for the Wildcat women’s soccer team and seniors Monique Cornier, Jessica Andrews and Amber Easterbrook were all honored prior to the start of the match.

Cornier, a forward, has played the past three years for Central and scored all three of her career goals this season. Andrews, a defender, helped Central to a 0.96 goals-against average last season, which is the best the program has seen in ten years.

Eastbrook, a four year starter at goalkeeper, owns four goal keeping records and is currently ranked fifth in GNAC history for career shutouts in goal. All three seniors will be named to the GNAC Academic All-Conference team this year.

When Eastbrook was asked how it felt to play her final home game and beat one of the best teams that they have faced she said, “It is bittersweet, but to beat a team that we have never beat in my four years is pretty amazing.”

Central improved to 4-5-1 in conference play and 7-9-1 overall.

The Wildcats got on the board within the first three minutes of the first half as Amy Pate, sophomore forward, scored the first goal of the game with an assist from Cornier. It was Pate’s second goal of the season.

Pate scored another goal in the second half when Kaycie Hutchins, junior forward, teamed up for an assist with Cornier, giving Pate a clear shot on the Falcon’s net giving Central a 2-0 lead.

Pate wasn’t sure if she would even be able to play. She had been sick the night before, however that didn’t seem to stop her.

“Everything just worked out the way it was suppose to,” Pate said.

Central added their final goal of the match in minute 75 of the second half as Serena Tomaso, sophomore forward, ripped off three shots on goal within five seconds. Her first shot hit the crossbar and bounced back to her. Tomaso’s second shot was saved by Seattle Pacific University (SPU) goalie Maddie Dickinson and again the ball bounced back to Tomaso, this time she found the back of the goal to give the Wildcats a 3-0 lead.

Easterbrook’s attempt at her 21st shutout came up short as SPU was able to scratch their way onto the scoreboard with a late goal in the 81st minute of the match.

Central outshot SPU 19-11, with ten shots on goal. The Wildcats also played a very physical game against the defending national champs, committing 24 fouls while the Falcons had just nine.

Coach Michael Ferrand was extremely proud of his girls.

“This is a big moment, coming into the game I told the girls to do something special,” Ferrand said.

Something special is just what this team did. They finished up their season at home with a win and went out with their heads held high