SEATTLE, Wash. – The Vikings will play for a national championship in their own backyard.
Western Washington University defeated Columbus State University 2-1 in the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer National Semifinal in front of a pro-Western crowd of 645 fans Thursday night in near-freezing temperatures at Interbay Stadium.
Sophomore Sophie Bearden Croft scored a pair of goals - her first two of the season - and the Vikings limited the No. 1 scoring team in the nation to only a late second-half goal for the victory to improve to 18-2-4 on the season.
No. 3 seed WWU will play No. 1 nationally-ranked West Chester Saturday at 3 pm in the national championship game at Interbay Stadium, just 90 miles south of Bellingham. The Vikings will be playing in their third national championship game, winning the title in Kansas City in 2016 and finishing runner-up in 2019 in Pittsburgh.
"It was a great match between two big-time teams," said Western Washington head coach Travis Connell. "I've got to give a lot of credit to Columbus State. They pushed us to the limit. They really dominated the first half, to be honest, and we stayed alive. We regrouped in the locker room and really challenged each other. We knew what we had to do in the second half and I'm really proud of how we turned the game in our favor. It wasn't so much tactics, but it was winning battles. Some people stepped up big time."
After a scoreless first half with both teams testing each other in the midfield, the Vikings struck first just over three minutes into the second half. Senior Dayana Diaz intercepted a pass and weaved through the CSU defense to the box. Playing in her 100th career game as a Viking to set the program record, the veteran laid the ball off to Bearden Croft on the right side of the box, who sliced a right-footed shot off the inside of the far left post and into the back of the net for her first goal of the season.
WWU played add-on early in the 76th minute with Bearden Croft recording the brace with an important insurance goal. Senior All-American Tera Ziemer controlled the ball at the top of the 18-yard box and found freshman sensation Morgan Manalili on the right side of the box. Manalili made a move past her defender and threaded a pass into the six-yard box where Bearden Croft buried it from close quarters to give Western the two-goal advantage.
"Those two balls from Dayana and Morgan were absolutely perfect," Bearden Croft said in the postgame news conference. "I didn't have to do much. They played me perfect balls."
Columbus State (20-3-1) cut the deficit to one goal in the 85th minute when the No. 1 scoring team in the nation (entered averaging 3.87 goals per game) found the back of the net with just under six minutes remining in the contest. WWU's defense held off the Cougars down the stretch to advance to the national championship game.
WWU out-shot Columbus State 19-10, including a game-changing 15-3 advantage in the second half. The Cougars controlled possession in the first half with a 7-4 lead in shots, but WWU's second-half adjustments proved to be the difference in the tightly-contested match.
In the first semifinal of the day, West Chester defeated Ferris State 2-1 on a second-half game-winning goal. The Golden Rams head into Saturday's national championship game undefeated at 23-0-1 on the season.
WWU has won 10 NCAA national titles (Women's Rowing-8, Men's Basketball-2012, Women's Soccer-2016) and 11 total team national titles (Softball-1998 NAIA).
The Vikings (18-2-4) will play in their third national championship game in the last six full seasons (2016, 2019, 2022) Saturday against West Chester (23-0-1) on Saturday with kickoff at 3 pm at Interbay Stadium in Seattle. The NCAA Division II men's soccer national championship game between Colorado State-Pueblo and Franklin Pierce will be played prior to the women's game with kickoff at 12 pm at Interbay Stadium. Tickets are available for purchase online at wwuvikings.com/NCAATickets. The championship game will stream live online at NCAA.com with a direct link available at wwuvikings.com/WS_Watch.
2022 NCAA Championships National Semifinal
Western Washington 2, Columbus State 1
Date: December 1, 2022
Field: Interbay Stadium Site: Seattle, WA
Attendance: 645 Kickoff Time: 8:00 pm Kickoff Temp: 31-degrees
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-----------------------------------------
Western Washington........ 0 2 - 2
Columbus State............ 0 1 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 48:17 WWU Bearden Croft (Diaz)
2. 75:03 WWU Bearden Croft (Manalili)
3. 84:13 CSU Medina (Beddow)
Shots: WWU 19, CSU 10
Shots on Goal: WWU 7, CSU 2
Saves: WWU 1 (Henninger – 1), CSU 5 (Hedrick – 2, Halilhodzic - 3)
Corners: WWU 4, CSU 1
Fouls: CSU 12, WWU 11
Offsides: CSU 2, WWU 1
Kits: WWU (Black), CSU (White)
Records: WWU (18-2-4), CSU (20-3-1)
National Ranking: WWU (#10), CSU (#3)
Here is a look at Western's record breakdown for the 2022 season:
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2022 RECORD BREAKDOWN
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Overall Record
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18-2-4
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Streak
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W7
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Home
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9-1-1
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Away
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7-1-3
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Neutral
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2-0-0
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GNAC Record
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11-1-2
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Non-Conference
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7-1-2
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Postseason
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6-0-0
|
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Ranked Opponents
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5-1-1
|
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Scoring First
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17-1-1
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Opponent Scores First
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0-1-2
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Lead at the Half
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13-1-2
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Tied at the Half
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4-1-2
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Trail at the Half
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1-0-0
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Record by Kit
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White
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3-0-1
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Navy
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3-1-1
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Light Blue
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7-1-1
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|
Black
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5-0-1
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The Vikings are playing in their 10th consecutive NCAA Division II Championships and appearing in its 12th overall NCAA postseason in program history. WWU will be playing in the national title for the third time in program history, are 5-0 all-time in national quarterfinal games and 3-2 in national semifinal contests. The program owns an all-time 27-9-1 record in NCAA Championships play (5-1 in 2019, 1-1 in 2021, 4-0 in 2022), winning at least one game in 10 of 12 trips to the NCAA postseason. WWU was crowned national champion in 2016 with a 24-0-1 record, capped by a 3-2 victory over Grand Valley State in Kansas City, Missouri.
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS GAME-BY-GAME
WWU is 27-9-1 all-time its 12 trips to the NCAA Championships, recording at least one win in 10 of 12 appearances. Here is a game-by-game rundown of the Vikings in the NCAA Championships:
2006 (0-1):
Lost to UC San Diego, 4-0
2008 (1-1):
Defeated Cal State Dom. Hills, 1-0
Lost to Seattle Pacific, 1-0 (OT) - West Region Final
2012 (2-1):
Defeated Cal Poly Pomona, 2-1 (OT)
Defeated Sonoma State, 2-1 (OT)
Lost to UC San Diego, 2-1 (OT) – West Region Final
2013 (3-1):
Defeated Seattle Pacific, 2-0
Defeated Cal State San Bernardino, 1-0 – West Region Final
Defeated St. Edward's 2-0 - National Quarterfinal
Lost to West Florida, 2-1 (OT) – National Semifinal
2014 (0-1):
Lost to Stanislaus State, 1-0
2015 (3-1):
Defeated Seattle Pacific, 1-0
Defeated Azusa Pacific, 1-0 – West Region Final
Defeated Dallas Baptist, 3-1 - National Quarterfinal
Lost to Grand Valley State, 3-2 – National Semifinal
2016 (5-0):
Defeated Central Washington, 2-0
Defeated UC San Diego, 2-1 (OT) – West Region Final
Defeated Colorado Mines, 5-1 - National Quarterfinal
Defeated Kutztown, 3-0 - National Semifinal
Defeated Grand Valley State, 3-2 – National Championship Game
2017 (1-1):
Defeated Sonoma State, 2-0
Lost to UC San Diego, 2-0 – West Region Final
2018 (2-0-1):
Defeated Sonoma State, 1-0
Defeated Concordia, 3-2 (OT)
Tied UC San Diego, 0-0 (2OT) – lost 4-1 on PK – West Region Final
2019 (5-1):
Defeated Stanislaus State, 1-0
Defeated Cal State LA, 1-0 (2OT)
Defeated Point Loma, 1-0 – West Region Final
Defeated Dixie State, 3-0 – National Quarterfinal
Defeated Flagler, 2-0 – National Semifinals
Lost to Grand Valley State, 1-0 (2OT) - National Championship Game
2021 (1-1):
Defeated Point Loma, 1-0
Lost to Seattle Pacific, 2-1 – West Region Final
2022 (4-0):
Defeated Point Loma, 1-0
Defeated Concordia Irvine, 1-0 – West Region Final
Defeated Colorado School of Mines, 3-1 – National Quarterfinal
Defeated Columbus State, 2-1 – National Semifinal
2022 WWU WOMEN'S SOCCER SCHEDULE
Here is a look at the Vikings 2022 season schedule and results following Thursday's NCAA II National Semifinal victory vs. Columbus State at Interbay Stadium in Seattle:
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Overall: 18-2-4 GNAC: 11-1-2 Home: 9-1-1 Away: 7-1-3 Neutral: 2-0-0
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DATE
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OPPONENT
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LOCATION / VENUE
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KICKOFF
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Aug. 25 (Thur.)
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Puget Sound
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Bellingham, WA (Harrington Field)
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W, 2-0
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Aug. 30 (Tue.)
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Concordia Irvine
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Bellingham, WA (Harrington Field)
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T, 1-1
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Sept. 3 (Sat.)
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at #20 Sonoma State
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Rohnert Park, CA (Seawolf Soccer Field)
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L, 2-1
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Sept. 6 (Tue.)
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at #13 Point Loma
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San Diego, CA (PLNU Soccer Field)
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T, 1-1
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Sept. 11 (Sun.)
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Colorado School of Mines
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Bellingham, WA (Harrington Field)
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Canceled
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Sept. 15 (Thur.)
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Simon Fraser GNAC
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Bellingham, WA (Harrington Field)
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W, 3-0
|
|
Sept. 17 (Sat.)
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at #19 Western Oregon GNAC
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Monmouth, OR (WOU Soccer Field)
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W, 3-2
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Sept. 22 (Thur.)
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at Central Washington GNAC
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Ellensburg, WA (Tomlinson Stadium)
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W, 3-0
|
|
Sept. 24 (Sat.)
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at Northwest Nazarene GNAC
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Nampa, ID (NNU Soccer Field)
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T, 0-0
|
|
Sept. 29 (Thur.)
|
Montana State Billings GNAC
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Bellingham, WA (Harrington Field)
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W, 2-0
|
|
Oct. 1 (Sat.)
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Seattle Pacific GNAC
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Bellingham, WA (Harrington Field)
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W, 1-0
|
|
Oct. 6 (Thur.)
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at Saint Martin's GNAC
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Lacey, WA (Saints Field)
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W, 2-1
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|
Oct. 8 (Sat.)
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at Simon Fraser GNAC
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Burnaby, BC (Terry Fox Field at SFU Stadium)
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W 2-0
|
|
Oct. 13 (Thur.)
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at Seattle Pacific GNAC
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Seattle, WA (Interbay Stadium)
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W, 3-0
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|
Oct. 15 (Sat.)
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at Montana State Billings GNAC
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Billings, MT (Yellowjacket Soccer Field)
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W, 3-0
|
|
Oct. 20 (Thur.)
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at Central Washington GNAC
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Ellensburg, WA (CWU Soccer Field)
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T, 1-1
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|
Oct. 22 (Sat.)
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#25 Northwest Nazarene GNAC
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Bellingham, WA (Harrington Field)
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W, 1-0
|
|
Oct. 27 (Thur.)
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Western Oregon GNAC
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Bellingham, WA (Harrington Field)
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L, 2-1
|
|
Oct. 29 (Sat.)
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Saint Martin's GNAC
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Bellingham, WA (Harrington Field)
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W, 3-0
|
|
2022 POSTSEASON SCHEDULE
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|
Nov. 3 (Thur.)
|
Simon Fraser GNAC Semifinal
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Nampa, ID (NNU Soccer Field)
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W, 3-0
|
|
Nov. 5 (Sat.)
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Northwest Nazarene GNAC Final
|
Nampa, ID (NNU Soccer Field)
|
W, 1-0
|
|
Nov. 12 (Sat.)
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#18 Point Loma NCAA 2nd Round
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Bellingham, WA (Harrington Field)
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W, 1-0
|
|
Nov. 17 (Thur.)
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Concordia Irvine NCAA 3rd Round
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Bellingham, WA (Harrington Field)
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W, 1-0
|
|
Nov. 19 (Sat.)
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#9 Colorado Mines NCAA Quarterfinal
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Bellingham, WA (Harrington Field)
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W, 3-1
|
|
Dec. 1 (Thur.)
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#3 Columbus State Semifinal
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Seattle, WA (Interbay Stadium)
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W, 2-1
|
|
Dec. 3 (Sat.)
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#1 West Chester Final
|
Seattle, WA (Interbay Stadium)
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3:00 pm
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Fans can follow WWU women's soccer online at WWUVikings.com/WSoc, and via social media on Twitter (@WWU_WSoccer), Instagram (@wwu_wsoccer) and Facebook (@WWUsoccerwomens).
The Western Washington University women's soccer program has risen to the top of the Division II ranks, with a string of 10 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Championships. WWU has advanced to the NCAA II Final Four in five of the last nine seasons and played for the West Region championship in nine of the last 10 seasons (seven consecutive). The Vikings played for the 2019 national title and won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2016 with an undefeated 24-0-1 record, beating three-time defending national champion Grand Valley State 3-2 in the title game in Kansas City, Missouri. Including the national championship run, the Vikings put together a 39-game winning streak (4th-longest in NCAA II history) and a 40-game unbeaten streak. The program has claimed eight of the last 10 Great Northwest Athletic Conference regular-season titles (2022 Champions) and won five of the last seven GNAC Tournament titles (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022). Head coach Travis Connell is in his 20th season leading the program in 2022 (27th overall at WWU) and has led the Vikings to 12 trips to the NCAA Championships (10 straight) and 19 consecutive winning seasons. He picked up his 400th career victory October 16, 2021 vs. Simon Fraser. WWU finished the 2019 season with a 23-3-0 record, winning the West Regional title and played in the national championship game falling 1-0 to Grand Valley State. Over the last eight seasons (since 2015), the Vikings have combined for a 141-18-13 record.
