Thursday, November 17, 2022

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington is headed to the Elite Eight after taking a dominant 1-0 win over Concordia to claim the West Regional title at Harrington Field in Bellingham.

The home fans were barely in their seats when freshman midfielder Morgan Manalili put them on their feet again with the lone goal of the match in the fourth minute. The GNAC Freshman of the Year and conference championships MVP started the match strong even before her opening goal, making dangerous runs into the Concordia box and holding possession well.

Manalili was able to capitalize on a nice touch at the top of the CUI box to break past the defensive line and tapped the ball into the back of the net after beating the goalkeeper who came out to challenge.

Western Washington continued to dominate the possession game through the remainder of the first half and outshot the Golden Eagles 5-0 in the first frame. The Vikings press was a consistent strength for the team, overloading the Concordia defenders as they tried to break into the midfield from their own zone. While the defense played a robust half to maintain a 1-0 lead, Western Washington almost put themselves up 2-0 on a free kick ball that was put into the back of the net by Estera Levinte but the play was immediately called back offside.

The Vikings came out of halftime looking just as sharp to start the second frame. They continued to control the run of play and create offensive opportunities deep in Golden Eagles’ territory. The Western Washington press was extremely effective in both the closing stages of the first half and the start of the second, often trapping Concordia in its own zone and making it difficult to break into the midfield.

As the second half progressed, the Golden Eagles continued to push back and generate some opportunities by working the long ball up the wing. The Vikings defense held strong, however, anchored by freshman defender Asia Hardin and junior defender Katie Watt who continued their string of 90-minute efforts on the backline. Watt has been on the pitch for every minute of the last four matches WWU has contested while Hardin has played the full 90 in the last three.

 Even as Concordia tried to put itself on the scoreboard, Western Washington continued to pressure. Levinte worked herself into clean air with a pair of slick moves past defenders and got a shot off that just sailed wide. A late free kick presented some danger, but again the Vikings’ defense held strong in front of senior goalkeeper Claire Henninger who recorded her 11th shutout of the season.

The Regional title is the fifth in program history and advances Western Washington to the national quarterfinals on Saturday where they will host South Central Region champion Colorado Mines in Bellingham.