Western Washington University Athletics

NAMPA, Idaho – The No. 9 nationally ranked Western Washington University women's soccer team won its fifth consecutive game to run its undefeated streak to 10 straight, earning a 1-0 road victory over Northwest Nazarene University Thursday afternoon in GNAC play.

 

The victory moves the Vikings to 8-1-3 overall and keeps them in first place in the GNAC with a 6-0-1 record (19 points). WWU also extended its conference unbeaten streak to 36 games, going 29-0-7 dating back to the 2023 season.

 

After a few close calls midway through the first half, the Vikings cashed in on the opportunities, scoring the opener in the 35th minute when junior Emily Holdridge recorded her first goal of the season. Sophomore Triya Mitchell delivered a throw-in towards the 6-yard box that was flicked on by senior Mie Cairns towards Holdridge, who jumped in front of her defender and struck quickly with her left foot past the NNU keeper.

 

Just two minutes prior to the goal, the Vikings looked to bury the go-ahead goal when Mitchell found freshman Madeline Mays one-on-one with the keeper, but the offside flag was up calling off the goal. WWU also had an offensive sequence in the box off a set piece early in the 18th minute, but a shot by Cairns found the crossbar and another shot on frame was saved.

 

The Vikings played the final 30 minutes of the game down a player after junior Bayla Abraham was issued a red card following her second caution. WWU kept NNU off the scoreboard over that time playing short, including a two-shot sequence in the 75th minute, the final which was saved by Idaho native Ellie McGowan for her fourth save of the game.

 

"I am proud of our effort today in a gutsy performance. It's not surprising since we take a lot of pride in that, but especially playing a player down for much of the second half," said WWU head coach Travis Connell. "NNU got a good start against us, but we were able to turn the game in our favor and had a strong finish to the opening half and got a nice goal. It shows that we are learning and getting better at game management."

 

The 1-0 win sets up a showdown against Simon Fraser University on Saturday in a top-of-the-table match-up at Harrington Field, with the two nationally ranked teams set for kickoff at 7 pm in Bellingham.

 

"We are excited to get back to Harrington Field with a big game Saturday night against Simon Fraser," added Connell. "These are the games you look forward to."

 

NNU (2-6-3, 2-3-2 GNAC) had its four-game unbeaten streak (was 2-0-2 in previous 4 games) snapped. The Nighthawks held a 12-10 advantage in total shots and 4-3 in shots on goal.

 

The Vikings defense recorded its eighth shutout of the season, led by four saves from McGowan, an Idaho native from Post Falls. WWU held 58-percent possession in the game.

 

The first-place Vikings (8-1-3, 6-0-1 GNAC) return to Harrington Field for their final three home games of the season, beginning with a clash with No. 24 nationally ranked Simon Fraser University Saturday night at 7 pm. The complete 2026 schedule can be viewed online via wwuvikings.com/WSOC.

 

WWU swept the season series vs. NNU with a pair of 1-0 victories, also winning at home Sept. 17 to open the conference slate … WWU has a five-game winning streak and 10-game undefeated streak (7-0-3) … Vikings extended their unbeaten streak in GNAC contests to 36 consecutive games, going 29-0-7 during this stretch dating to the end of the 2023 season … WWU recorded its eighth shutout of the season and has not allowed more than one goal in a game in 12 contests in 2026 … Vikings lead the all-time series vs. NNU 47-2-3 with a 21-2-2 record in Nampa … 12-game undefeated streak vs. the Nighthawks (10-0-2) and 28-1-2 vs. NNU in the last 31 meetings.

 

#9 Western Washington 1, Northwest Nazarene 0

Date: October 8, 2026

Field: NNU Soccer Field     Site: Nampa, ID

Attendance: 200

 

Goals by period                 1  2    Tot

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

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

Northwest Nazarene............  0  0  -  0

 

SCORING SUMMARY:

1.        34:35      WWU      E. Holdridge (Cairns, Mitchell)

 

Shots: NNU 12, WWU 10

Shots on Goal: NNU 4, WWU 3

Saves: WWU 4 (McGowan – 4), NNU 2 (Barrass – 2)

Corners: WWU 7, NNU 2

Fouls: NNU 12, WWU 9

Offsides: WWU 8, NNU 1

Kits: WWU (Light Blue), NNU (Black)

Updated Records: WWU (8-1-3, 6-0-1), NNU (2-6-3, 2-3-2)

 

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

 

 

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