Western Washington University Athletics

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Senior Olivia Connell converted a penalty kick goal in the 39th minute that stood as the game winner sending the No. 8 nationally ranked Western Washington University women's soccer team to a 1-0 Senior Day victory over Western Oregon University on Saturday at Harrington Field.

 

The Vikings delivered their 11th shutout performance of the season to extend their winning streak to eight consecutive games and unbeaten streak to 13 straight (10-0-3). WWU celebrated its seven-player senior class on a beautiful fall day at Harrington Field playing in front of a packed crowd of 611 fans.

 

The victory clinched a postseason spot in the GNAC Championships for WWU, improving to 11-1-3 overall and 9-0-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. The Vikings earned the season sweep of the Wolves, adding Saturday's 1-0 shutout victory to a 2-0 blanking on October 1 in Monmouth.

 

"Solid result for us today against Western Oregon. We are really happy to celebrate or seniors with a victory on their special day," said WWU head coach Travis Connell. "Each of them has positively impacted our program and all their teammates and coaches as great human beings."

 

WWU scored the lone goal of the game at the 38:15 mark with just over six minutes remaining in the first half. Junior forward Arriannah King drew a foul on the box when she was tripped up by the WOU goalkeeper, sending Connell to the spot for the penalty kick. Connell slotted her low, line-drive right-footed kick into the lower right netting for her fifth career goal while playing in her 77th contest as a Viking.

 

Western's defense held the Wolves scoreless recording its 11th shutout of the season to remain among the national leader, with a top-five 0.27 goal against average. Sophomore goalkeeper Ellie McGowan made three saves for her 11th shutout of the season.

 

WWU held an 11-6 advantage in total shots in the 90-minute match, edging WOU 5-3 in shots on goal. Both teams took five corner kicks.

 

Prior to the game, WWU's seven seniors were celebrated in an on-field ceremony. Seniors Reese Walker, Gemma Rowland, Kastle Lyman, Emily Fojo, Olivia Connell, Jane Hmura and Mie Cairns played their final regular season game at Harrington Field. 

 

Western Oregon dropped to 2-8-4 overall and 1-6-3 in GNAC play. 
 

 

The first-place Vikings (11-1-3, 9-0-1 GNAC) are on the road for the final four regular-season games, beginning next week with games at Seattle Pacific on Thursday (7 pm) and Montana State Billings on Saturday (12 pm MT). The complete 2026 schedule can be viewed online via wwuvikings.com/WSOC.

 

WWU extended its unbeaten streak in GNAC play to 39 consecutive games, going 32-0-7 during this stretch of regular-season conference contests since the end of the 2023 season … Western improved to 7-1-2 at Harrington Field this season and is 107-8-13 all-time since moving into the facility in 2014 (.887 winning pct.) … Vikings have won eight streak and unbeaten in their last 13 games (10-0-3) … recorded 11th shutout of the season (9th in last 10 games) … WWU swept WOU during the 2026 season adding a 2-0 win in Monmouth on October 1 … Vikings lead the all-time series vs. WOU 47-8-4 with a 9-game unbeaten streak (7-0-2) … over last 24 games in the series WWU is 19-2-4 vs. WOU (since 2013) … WWU head coach Travis Connell recorded his 350th victory in 24 seasons leading the women's program (350-91-56/.761) and 475th overall with WWU soccer including 125 wins leading the men's program.

 

#8 Western Washington 1, Western Oregon 0

Date: October 17, 2026

Field: Harrington Field     Site: Bellingham, WA

Attendance: 611

 

Goals by period                 1  2    Tot

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

Western Oregon................  0  0  -  0

Western Washington............  1  0  -  1

 

SCORING SUMMARY:

1.        38:15      WWU      Connell (PK)

 

Shots: WWU 11, WOU 6

Shots on Goal: WWU 5, WOU 3

Saves: WWU 3 (McGowan – 3), WOU 4 (Soon – 4)

Corners: WWU 5, WOU 5

Fouls: WOU 10, WWU 6

Offsides: WWU 3, WOU 0

Kits: WWU (Light Blue), WOU (Red)

Updated Records: WWU (11-1-3, 9-0-1), WOU (2-8-4, 1-6-3)
 

 

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

 

 

Here is a look at the results and updated standings following Saturday's games to close out the fifth week of conference games. The top four 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. WWU clinched its spot in the GNAC Championship tournament for the 14th consecutive season. Updated conference standings, schedules, results and statistics can be found online at GNACsports.com.

 

 

Here is a look at the Vikings longest winning and unbeaten streaks in program history. WWU currently has an 8-game winning streak (tied for 8th-longest) and 13-game unbeaten streak (tied for 10th-longest):

 

 

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