Box Score

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — A solid second half gave the Crusader momentum, if not a win.

The Northwest Nazarene women's soccer team played strong over the final 45 minutes, holding host Central Washington at bay, but the Crusaders couldn't erase an early deficit and fell 2-0 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference soccer on Thursday.

"We played an incomplete game, and when you do that against a top team in conference it's hard to get a result," NNU head coach Mary Trigg said.

"We adjusted in the second half, took care of our 1-v -1 battles and shut them out," NNU's coach added. "We're looking to bring the discipline from the second half to our match against Saint Martin's on Saturday."

The Crusaders play their final road contest of the season at St. Martin's at 1 p.m. (PT) on Saturday, then wrap up their season at home next week hosting No. 1-ranked Western Washington next Thursday, and Simon Fraser for "Senior Day" on Oct. 29.

Looking to start a win streak on the road, NNU (3-11-0 overall, 1-8-0 GNAC) instead found itself in a hole early as the host Wildcats scored 18 minutes, 35 seconds into the contest and added a goal with 6:50 left before halftime.

NNU turned it around in the second half, playing even with the Wildcats (12-2-1, 7-1-1), but was unable to close the gap.

Host Central Washington outshot the Crusaders, 17-8, and NNU goalkeeper Daniele Ortiz made four saves in the game.