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Sept. 8, 2009

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Western Washington University women's soccer team begins defense of its Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship Friday (1 p.m.), entertaining Western Oregon University at Orca Field on the Whatcom Community College campus.

The Vikings, 1-2-1 overall, are coming off a 1-0 victory over Sonoma State on Monday that snapped a three-game winless streak to open the season. They were ranked No.12 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America NCAA Division II National Preseason Poll.

Western Washington, which was 10-0-2 in GNAC play last season and reached the title game of the Far West Regional, has not lost in 16 league counters (14-0-2). The Vikings' last league loss was 2-0 to Seattle Pacific on Oct. 17, 2007.

Following Friday's contest, Western Washington completes a seven-game home stand to start the season by playing host to GNAC rivals Saint Martin's on Wednesday, Sept. 16 (7 p.m.) and Central Washington on Saturday, Sept. 19 (11 a.m.).

In the win over Sonoma State, the game's only goal was scored by Vikings' forward Emily Frankland (Jr., Sammamish/Skyline) 3:30 into the contest. It was the eighth goal of Frankland's three-year career and her fourth game winner.

Western Washington goalkeeper Jamie Arthurs (R-Fr., Richland) made five saves in recording her first career shutout.

Western Oregon is 1-2-1 overall (at Willamette on Sept. 19) and winless (0-2-1) on the road. The Wolves are led by Rachelle Kliewer, who has three goals and three assists.

Saint Martin's is 3-2-0 (hosts Grand Canyon on Sept. 13), winning three of its last four games with the loss being 1-0 in overtime to Humboldt State. The Saints' Jill Webb has five goals and one assist.

Central is 2-4-0 (hosts Simon Fraser on Sept. 11), winning two of its last three contests. The Wildcats' Kaycie Hutchins has one goal and six assists.