Western Washington University Athletics

SEATTLE, Wash. – It wouldn't be a GNAC Women's Soccer Championship Final without the Western Washington University Vikings.

 

For the 14th consecutive season – marking every year of the tournament's existence – the No. 1 seed and No. 7 nationally ranked Vikings will play for the postseason tournament title following a 1-0 victory over in-state rival and No. 4 seed Central Washington University Thursday afternoon in the semifinal round.

 

The Vikings improved to 15-2-3 overall with the shutout victory in a defensive battle against the Wildcats at Interbay Stadium in Seattle.

 

The game was scoreless through the first 80 minutes of the game before the Vikings recorded the lone goal of the game. First Team All-GNAC freshman forward Madeline Mays streaked into the 18-yard box and drew a foul from the CWU goalkeeper setting up a penalty kick opportunity. Senior defender and GNAC Defensive Player of the Year Olivia Connell calmly slotted her right-footed shot from the 12-yard spot into the lower right corner for her third goal of the season (second PK).

 

"I was just really excited," said Connell. "Maddie (Mays) was up there and got that foul for us, and I just stepped up. I always feel really comfortable taking them."

 

The first half featured a scoreless first 45 minutes of action, with the Vikings holding an 8-3 advantage in total shots. Three of WWU's shots were on target and saved by CWU goalkeeper Danika Galbraith. One of the Vikings top scoring opportunities came in the final seconds of the half when a long through ball found the feet of Chloe Van Wey streaking into the 18-yard box, but her left-footed shot sailed high of the goal as the clock expired.

 

WWU held a 16-8 advantage in total shots and 10-2 in shots on goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Ellie McGowan made a pair of saves, including a diving stop in the 89th minute to keep the Vikings in the lead, and notch her 15th shutout of the season to rank second in WWU single-season history.

 

"Credit to Central Washington for making this a difficult win for us. They stifled so much of our attack today and made things difficult," said WWU assistant coach Jamie Arthurs. "We had to grind out the small bits of possession we could get. We really had to play 90 minutes, and our depth was so important today."

 

Connell, who has played every minute of the year on the back line, was joined by GNAC Newcomer of the Year Ella Witherspoon and freshmen Ruby Senffner, Chloe Van Wey and Blake Francis in keeping the Wildcats out of the net and limited to only two shots on goal.

 

"Liv is a big-time player, and she always steps up in the big moments," said Cairns on her senior teammate Connell. "We know we can always count on her, whether that's making a game-winning tackle or putting it in the back of the net on a penalty kick. She always steps up when we need her most.

 

The Vikings are coming off their conference-record 12th GNAC regular-season title, going 12-1-1 in conference play for 37 points. WWU will play in its 15th consecutive GNAC Championship Final on Saturday at 11 am against No. 3 Seattle Pacific at Interbay Stadium, with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships West Regional. SPU defeated No. 2 seed Simon Fraser 

 

"I think that's why I wanted to come to Western, because we play in these big games and have a lot of opportunities," added Cairns. "Liv and I have experienced it all over these four years. I'm hoping this is the year we can win it and step up in the big moments. We're excited for Saturday."
 

 

November 5-7, 2026 | Interbay Stadium | Seattle, WA | Host: Seattle Pacific University

 

Thursday, November 5

Semifinal 1 – 11 am – No. Western Washington 1, No. 4 Central Washington 0

Semifinal 2 – 3 pm – No. 3 Seattle Pacific 0, No. 2 Simon Fraser 0 (SPU wins 4-3 on PKs)

 

Saturday, November 7

Final – 11 am – No. 1 Western Washington vs. No. 3 Seattle Pacific

 

The No. 1 seed and No. 7 nationally ranked Vikings (15-2-3) move on to the GNAC Championship game for the 14th consecutive season, meeting No. 3 seed Seatle Pacific on Saturday with kickoff set for 11 am at Interbay Stadium in Seattle. More information on the tournament regarding tickets, parking and schedule can be found at GNACSports.com. The complete 2026 schedule can be viewed online via wwuvikings.com/WSOC. The NCAA Women's Soccer Show will air on NCAA.com on Monday at 4 pm.

 

The Vikings are making their 14th appearance in the GNAC Women's Soccer Championships, advancing to play in the four-team tournament every season the tournament has been in existence since it debuted in 2012. WWU has also advanced to play in all 14 championships games, going 14-0-0 in the semifinal round. Western is the six-time champion of the event, winning in 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022. Following the 1-0 win over CWU, the Vikings are 20-4-3 all-time in the GNAC Tournament.

 

 
 

#7 Western Washington 1, Central Washington 0

Date: November 5, 2026

2026 GNAC Championships Semifinal

Field: Interbay Stadium     Site: Seattle, WA

Attendance: 146

 

Goals by period                 1  2    Tot

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

Central Washington............  0  0  -  0

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

 

SCORING SUMMARY:

1.        80:42      WWU      Connell (PK)

 

Shots: WWU 16, CWU 8

Shots on Goal: WWU 10, CWU 2

Saves: WWU 2 (McGowan – 2), CWU 9 (Galbraith – 9)

Corners: WWU 7, CWU 2

Fouls: CWU 11, WWU 7

Offsides: WWU 10, CWU 1

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

Updated Records: WWU (15-2-3), CWU (6-10-4)

 

Olivia Connell is 2-for-2 in her penalty kick attempts this season, also converting in a 1-0 win over Western Oregon on October 17 … WWU recorded its 15th shutout of the season and sixth 1-0 victory … the Vikings went 1-0-1 vs. the Wildcats during the regular season, with a 3-0 win last Saturday to cap the regular season clinching the GNAC title … Western has a 32-game unbeaten streak vs. Central (27-0-5) since 2012 and is now 3-0-0 vs. the Wildcats in the GNAC postseason … the Vikings improved to 9-1-0 when wearing their light blue uniform combination … Jane Hmura made her 86th career appearance to tie for 19th in WWU history and Mie Cairns earned her 85th cap as a Viking … Ellie McGowan recorded her 15th shutout of the season (2nd-most in single-season WWU history) and 22nd of her career (5th in WWU history) … 22 of 39 starts in her two-year career have resulted in a shutout.

 

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:

 

 

The Vikings won their 12th GNAC regular-season title to earn the No. 1 seed in the GNAC Championships. WWU has won the last three GNAC titles and four of the last five. In addition to winning in 2024, 2025 and now 2025, WWU added to titles won in 2022, 2018-19, 2012-16 and. The Vikings have finished first or second in the final GNAC table in each of the last 14 seasons dating back to 2012.