Western Washington University Athletics

DENVER, Colo. – The No. 14 nationally ranked Western Washington University men's soccer team had its perfect start to the 2026 season come to an end with a 3-1 loss against Westminster University in a game played at Regis University.

 

Traveling for the first time this season, the Vikings entered the game with a perfect 4-0-0 record for the best start in program history, but were dealt a 3-1 loss on hot day in Denver with temperatures hovering around 90-degrees.

 

Westminster held a decisive 26-8 advantage in total shots and 16-4 in shots on goal to remain unbeaten on the season at 2-0-3. WWU junior goalkeeper Quinn Sappington prevented the scoreline from growing making a career-high 13 saves, the most by a Viking since WWU Hall of Famer Ben Dragavon had 15 stops vs. Chico State in 2005.

 

The Griffins controlled the offensive end of the field in the first half holding an 11-2 advantage in shots – 7-1 in shots on goal – but were held off the scoreboard until the final seconds of the period. WWU committed a foul near the sideline outside the 18-yard box, setting up a late free kick opportunity for Westminster. Max Edwards delivered a right-footed cross into the box where Ethan Ross headed home the go-ahead goal.

 

Western's lone shot on goal in the first half nearly resulted in an early go-ahead header goal from Tommy Carroll at the 7:52 mark but was snatched by Griffins goalkeeper Oliver Olsen.

 

Westminster went up 2-0 16 minutes into the second half when Owen Gallo slotted his right-footed shot across the box inside the far post with an assist from Gage Woods.

 

WWU got a goal back in the 63rd minute on a converted penalty kick by Landon Schulze. The Vikings earned a corner taken by Reiley Buri-Brown that was lined up to the near post where Sam Hough got taken down in the box on a late tackle. Schulze sent the keeper to his right and buried his shot in the opposite corner for his second goal of the season.

 

The Griffins held off the potential equalizer and added an insurance goal in the 75th minute on a 25-yard laser from Parker Stebbing into the right corner of the goal.

 

The Vikings (4-1-0, 0-0-0 GNAC) remain on the road playing Regis University on Sunday with kickoff scheduled for 1:30 pm MT/12:30 pm PT. Thursday's game opened a six-game stretch of games away from Bellingham. The complete 2026 schedule can be viewed online via wwuvikings.com/MSOC.

 

Westminster 3, Western Washington 1

Date: September 10, 2026

Field: Regis Turf Field   Site: Denver, CO

Attendance: 43

 

Goals by period                 1  2    Tot

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

Westminster...................  1  2  -  3

#14 Western Washington........  0  1  -  1

 

SCORING SUMMARY:

1.       44:47     WUT       Ross (Edwards)

2.       60:43     WUT       Gallo (Wood)

3.       62:56     WWU       Schulze (PK)

4.       74:48     WUT       Stebbing

 

Shots: WUT 26, WWU 8

Shots on Goal: WUT 16, WWU 4

Saves: WWU 13 (Sappington - 13), WUT 3 (Olsen - 3)

Corners: WUT 5, WWU 4

Fouls: WWU 8, WUT 2

Offsides: WWU 4, WUT 1

Kits: WWU (White), WUT (Purple)

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

 

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: