Central Washington University is gearing up for an exciting start to the 2024 season with both the women’s soccer and women’s volleyball teams hosting exhibition matches this week. The soccer team will be playing three matches at Steve Hertling Field at Tomlinson Stadium, while the volleyball team will have one home exhibition and one away exhibition before kicking off their regular season.
The soccer Wildcats will kick off their exhibition matches by welcoming Pacific Lutheran on Tuesday, August 20 at 1:00 p.m. The team will then face off against the University of British Columbia on Friday, August 23 at 5:00 p.m. and the University of Victoria on Sunday, August 25 at noon. Head Coach Lindsey Lee will be leading the team for the third season, with a revamped roster that includes 12 new players. Key players to watch include Casey Park and Sami Huber, who were Honorable Mention All-GNAC performers last season. Goalkeeper Danika Galbraith will also be a player to watch, as she led the team in minutes played and saves last season.
Pacific Lutheran, UBC Thunderbirds, and UVic Vikes are formidable opponents for the Wildcats. Pacific Lutheran had a strong 15-5-1 record last season, while UBC Thunderbirds have already notched wins against NCAA Division I universities in their preseason matches. UVic Vikes also had a solid 10-5-3 record last season and handed UBC their only loss.
On the volleyball front, the Wildcats will face NCAA Division I member Eastern Washington in an exhibition match on Saturday, August 24 at 1:00 p.m. They will then travel to Portland, Oregon to face Portland State on Sunday, August 25 at 1:00 p.m. The team will be led by five seniors, including All-American middle blocker Emma Daoud-Hebert. The Wildcats also welcomed six newcomers to the program, including NCAA Division I transfer Lacy Cox from the University of Idaho.
Eastern Washington and Portland State will provide tough competition for the Wildcats. Eastern Washington finished last season with a 13-17 record, while Portland State had a 16-12 season. Both teams will be looking to make a statement in their respective conferences this season.
Overall, the exhibition matches for both the women’s soccer and women’s volleyball teams at Central Washington University promise to be exciting and competitive. Fans can look forward to watching these talented athletes showcase their skills and teamwork as they prepare for the upcoming regular season. Admission is free for all soccer matches, so be sure to come out and support the Wildcats as they kick off their 2024 campaigns.