Western Washington University Athletics

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's soccer team battled back from an early 2-0 deficit to forge a 2-2 tie against No. 19 nationally ranked Northwest Nazarene University Thursday evening at Harrington Field.

 

The Vikings trailed 2-0 through the first 20 minutes of action returning to Harrington Field after a six-game road trip, but got a goal back by Landon Schulze in the 28th minute and Tommy Carroll found a late equalizer with just over two minutes remaining to secure one point in the fast-paced conference match.

 

WWU moved to 6-3-2 overall 11 games into the 2026 season and remained unbeaten at 4-0-1 in home games, including a 2-0-1 mark against national top 25 opponents. The Vikings are 1-1-1 in GNAC play, tied for third place in the standings with four points.

 

NNU (6-1-4, 1-0-1 GNAC) got off to a quick start with goals in the 11th minute by Illyès El Yansli and 20th minute by Youssef El madkouri. The Nighthawks entered the game entered the contest with a four-game winning streak after knocking off nationally ranked Seattle Pacific and Jamestown last week in home games.

 

The Vikings started their comeback midway through the first half with Schulze finding the back of the net at the 27:51 mark for his team-leading sixth goal of the season. Sophomore winger Jose Perez put a dangerous strike on a free kick 35-yards out that was saved by the NNU goalkeeper, with the loose ball touched across the box by Sam Hough to Schulze who was waiting at the back post for the clean finish.

 

WWU's defense limited NNU to only one second-half shot, while the offense gained momentum creating several scoring chances. Carroll nearly equalized in the 82nd minute when his volley attempt inched over the crossbar, but the sophomore striker made good on his next chance at the 87:46 mark putting the equalizer in the back of the net.

 

The late game-tying goal started in the Vikings own half of the field when senior midfielder Edgar Serrano threaded a pass across the center line to Perez, who touched the ball on to Schulze streaking towards toward the 18-yard box. Schulze was slowed up by his defender, but created just enough space to fire a cross sharply into the 6-yard box where Carroll one-timed a left-footed redirect into the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season.

 

WWU held a 19-6 advantage in total shots and 6-2 in shots on goal. Both teams took four corner kicks.

 

The Vikings (6-3-2, 1-1-1 GNAC) remain at Harrington Field on Saturday hosting rival Seattle Pacific in a 4 pm game where Latine Heritage Month will be celebrated. All conference games will stream live on the GNAC Network. The complete 2026 schedule can be viewed online via wwuvikings.com/MSOC.

 

Western Washington 2, #19 Northwest Nazarene 2

Date: October 1, 2026

Field: Harrington Field    Site: Bellingham, WA

Attendance: 292

 

Goals by period                 1  2    Tot

--------------------------------------------

#19 Northwest Nazarene........  2  0  -  2

Western Washington............  1  1  -  2

 

SCORING SUMMARY:

1.        10:04     NNU       El Yansli

2.        19:48     NNU       El madkouri (El Yansli)

3.        27:51     WWU       Schulze (Serrano, Hough)

4.        87:46     WWU       Carroll (Schulze)

 

Shots: WWU 19, NNU 6

Shots on Goal: WWU 6, NNU 2

Saves: WWU 0 (Sappington - 0), NNU 4 (Brockl – 4)

Corners: WWU 4, NNU 4

Fouls: NNU 13, WWU 8

Offsides: NNU 2, WWU 0

Kits: WWU (White), NNU (Black/Red)

Updated Records: WWU (6-3-2, 1-1-1), NNU (6-1-4, 1-0-1)

 

Here is a look at Western's record breakdown for the 2026 season:

 

 

Here is a look at the results and updated standings following Thursday's games to open the second week of the conference slate. The top three teams in the standings at the conclusion of the regular season advance to play in the 2026 GNAC Championships held November 5-7 at Interbay Stadium in Seattle. Updated conference standings, schedules, results and statistics can be found online at GNACsports.com.

 

 

Here is a look at the Vikings 2026 schedule and game-by-game results: