NAMPA - Northwest Nazarene University freshman Kendra Courcy scored a goal and earned an assist on the game winner as the Crusaders defeated Central Washington 2-1 in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's soccer game on Saturday in Nampa.

"I was pleased with our girl's display of character in coming back from being down a goal early," commented NNU head coach Jamie Lindvall. "I felt like we adjusted well in the second half and played much more organized. It's always great to get a conference win."

With the win the Crusaders improve to 1-1 in GNAC play and 4-2-1 overall. The Wildcats fall to 0-2 in league action and 3-4-1 overall.

The Wildcats opened the scoring in just in the eighth minute when Chelsea Lovin intercepted a soft pass from Crusader goalkeeper Amanda Merrell that was intended for another Crusader defender. Lovin took one dribble and sent a 15-yard shot to the upper left of the goal, her third of the season.

NNU answered in the 43rd minute when Courcy scored on a free kick from 30-yards following a CWU foul. Courcy's blast went in just below the crossbar off the outstretched hand of Wildcat keeper Aneesa Gonzales.

The Crusaders scored the game winner in the 60th minute when NNU career goal leader Katy McNutt scored her 34th career tally, a 10-yard shot from the left, a result of a Courcy cross that was headed over to McNutt by freshman Kim Bowen.

NNU out-shot the Wildcats 15-10 and held a slight 5-4 edge in corner kicks. Both goalkeepers hustled for five saves each. CWU was whistled for 15 fouls while NNU had six.

NNU will play a pair of GNAC matches next week, traveling to Western Oregon on Thursday at 4 p.m. PST and Saint Martin's on Saturday at noon PST.