NAMPA, Idaho - The Northwest Nazarene women's soccer team will travel to Bellingham, Wash., and Burnaby, B.C., to open their 2026 GNAC slate this Thursday and Saturday. Kickoff against Western Wash. is scheduled for 7 PM PT, while kickoff against Simon Fraser is scheduled for 1 PM PT.

The Nighthawks

NNU is coming off a rough non-conference schedule where they are still searching for their first countable win. The Nighthawks opened the year with an exhibition victory but have failed to crack the win column in their next five games. To open the non-conference schedule, they traveled to San Rafael, Calif., where they fell to RV Dominican 1-0. Following the tough loss, they traveled to Atherton, Calif., to face off against Menlo College. The Nighthawks found themselves in a 2-0 hole in the first half but rallied late off of two goals from Mylee Carver Moulton and Lucy Bergford to earn the draw. Following the comeback effort, NNU dropped their next two matches. They fell in the final minute to CSU Dominguez Hills, 2-1, and couldn't find the back of the net last week against Westminster in a narrow 1-0 loss.

NNU has scored three goals this season, averaging 0.75 goals per game. They have conceded six goals for an average of 1.50 goals against per game. Despite the difference in goals and goals per game, the Nighthawks have had plenty of opportunities, out-shooting their opponents 53-39 with 13.3 shots per game. 19 of those shots have been on frame for a shot on goal percentage of 0.358. Defensively, NNU has given up 39 total shots, 21 of which have been on goal for a shot-on-goal percentage of 0.538.

All three goals have been scored by three separate players this season. Lucy Bergford and Mylee Carver Moulton each scored against Menlo College while Elliana Kimball scored the lone goal against CSU Dominguez Hills. Kiera Dwinell and Attie Jo Westbrook have each recorded one assist.

Alex Barrass has recorded every minute in goal, recording six goals against and 13 saves with a 0.684 save percentage.

Western Washington

Western Washington enters GNAC play with a 2-1-2 overall record and is receiving votes in the most recent IWSOC Coaches Poll. The Vikings have wins over Hawai'i Hilo (2-0) and CSU East Bay (3-1 ), and their loss came at the hands of No. 10 UC Colorado Springs (1-0). Both draws have come against CSU Monterey Bay (0-0) and Colorado School of Mines (1-1).

The Vikings have scored six goals and are averaging 1.20 goals per game. Defensively, they have given up three goals and are averaging 0.60 goals per game. WWU has been very strong on the offensive side, firing 83 total shots with 37 on goal. They are averaging 16.6 goals per game and a 0.446 shots-on-goal percentage.

Western Washington is led by Audrey Holdridge with two goals and an assist this season for five points, while Triya Mitchell, Chloe Va Wey, and Reese Walker each have a goal to their name. Bayla Abraham, Madeline Mays, and Keira Reeves each have one assist.

Much like the Nighthawks, Ellie McGowan has played every minute in goal for the Vikings. She has tallied nine saves while giving up three goals for a save percentage of 0.750 and a goals against average of 0.60.

All-time vs Western Washington

Western Washington leads the rivalry with 42 wins all time. NNU's last win over WWU was on October 28, 2021 (2-1). Western Washington is on a 10-game unbeaten streak over NNU,

Simon Fraser

The Red Leafs enter GNAC play after going 2-1-1 in non-conference play. They will open their conference slate on Thursday against Central Washington in Burnaby, British Columbia. SFU's lone loss came at the hands of No. 2 ranked Cal Poly Pomona at the beginning of September and is the only time they have been shutout this season.

The Red Leafs have scored three goals in all but one game, which includes two wins over Hawai'i Hilo and Vanguard (Calif.). Simon Fraser worked a 3-3 draw last time out against No. 13 Concordia Irvine.

As a team, SFU has scored nine goals this season, averaging 2.25 goals per game while giving up six goals, averaging 1.50 goals against per game. Simon Fraser has taken 51 shots this season, averaging 12.9 shots per game, and has found 19 on target for a shots-on-goal percentage of 0.373. On the defensive side, SFU has allowed 55 total shots and 13.8 shots per game. They have seen 25 of those shots land on frame for a shots on goal percentage of 0.455.

The Red Leafs have seen solid production from many players, including Kiera Scott, who leads the team with three goals, two assists, and eight points. Dariella Lopez follows with two goals and two assists, while Alyssa Clark has a goal and two assists to her name. Sarah Caravatta, Gemma Dumas, and Sofia Faremo have each recorded on goal, and Sam Bouchard has two assists while Abbey Simpson has one.

Sofia Piperni has started in all four games and totaled 19 saves with six goals against for a save percentage of 0.760. Piperni was named the GNAC Defensive Player of the Week on August 31 for her five-save performance against Hawai'i Hilo.

All-time vs Simon Fraser

NNU trails in the all-time series 8-14-4, with their last win coming at home on September 22, 2022 (3-0). SFU has won the last four and is unbeaten in the last seven matches.