Western Washington University Athletics

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Led by a dynamic two-goal performance from junior forward Audrey Holdrdige, the No. 18 nationally ranked Western Washington University women's soccer team opened the 2026 season with a 2-0 shutout victory over the University of Hawai'i Hilo Thursday afternoon at Harrington Field.

 

Holdridge, a junior from Ferndale, doubled her career goal total with strikes in the 39th minute in the first half and put the game away with a brilliant solo effort in the 81st minute to record her first career brace.

 

The Vikings out-shot the Vulcans (0-1) 10-6 in the game and Western's defense did not allow a shot on goal in the 90-minute match.

 

Hilo pressured the Vikings in the opening 15 minutes with four shots, but the defense held Hilo off the scoreboard.

 

WWU's first scoring chance came in the 36th minute when junior midfielder Bayla Abraham connected on a header off a corner from freshman forward Madeline Mays that was saved by the UHH keeper.

 

Just under three minutes later Holdridge connected on a volley from the top of the 18-yard box after a pass sequence from Mays and Abraham. Holdridge one-timed a partially deflected pass that looped over the out-stretched arms of the UHH keeper.

 

Holdridge took a long through ball from junior defender Avah Eslinger down the sideline, cut back towards the goal juking her defender, and tucked a left-footed shot inside the far post.

 

The Vikings (1-0-0) remain at home to cap their season-opening two-game homestand hosting No. 10 nationally ranked UC Colorado Springs on Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 11 am at Harrington Field. The complete 2026 schedule can be viewed online via wwuvikings.com/WSOC.

 

WWU started four true freshman in the game – Blake Francis, Chloe Van Wey, Keira Reeves and Ruby Senffner … Audrey Holdridge recorded her first career brace entering the season with two goals in her first 42 collegiate games … WWU improved to 101-7-11 all-time at Harrington Field with a current 18-game unbeaten streak on its home field (14-0-4) … UHH out-shot WWU 5-4 in the first half, but the Vikings defense limited the Vulcans without a shot in the half (no shots on target in the game).

 

The Vikings improved to 25-15-7 all-time in the first game of the season, with a current unbeaten streak of 14 consecutive seasons with an opening day victory or tie. Since 2013, WWU is 10-0-4 in lid lifters.

 

#18 Western Washington 2, Hawai'i Hilo 0

Date: August 27, 2026

Field: Harrington Field     Site: Bellingham, WA

Attendance: 212

 

Goals by period                     1  2    Tot

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

Hawai'i Hilo......................  0  0  -  0

#18 Western Washington............  1  1  -  2

 

SCORING SUMMARY:

1.      38:23      WWU      A. Holdridge (Abraham, Mays)

2.      80:47      WWU      A. Holdridge

 

Shots: WWU 10, UHH 6

Shots on Goal: WWU 7, UHH 0

Saves: WWU 0 (McGowen – 0), UHH 5 (Keller - 5)

Corners: WWU 5, UHH 2

Fouls: UHH 16, WWU 13

Offsides: WWU 3, UHH 2

Kits: WWU (White), UHH (Black)

Updated Records: WWU (1-0-0), UHH (0-1-0)

 

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 extended their unbeaten streak to 20 consecutive games, tied for third-longest in program history. The streak dates to September 18, 2025 with a 4-1 win over Cal State Monterey Bay. WWU is 15-0-5 during the 20-game unbeaten streak, which includes the tie vs. Azusa Pacific last season that eliminated the Vikings from the postseason on a penalty shootout. Here is a look at the longest unbeaten streaks in program history: