After two weeks of spring competition, the Seattle University women's soccer team has posted two ties, but the players have gained a wealth of experience as the program begins the transition to Division I.
On Sunday, April 6, Seattle University's match against Trinity Western at Championship Field ended in a 0-0 tie. Last Saturday morning, April 12, the Redhawks played the University of Washington to a 1-1 tie at Husky Soccer Field. The coaching staff has been pleased with the team's performance so far and believes that the players are adapting well to a slightly different system.
"We have been putting a lot of time into our defense, and our team's defensive shape has looked good and continues to improve with each game," head coach Julie Woodward said. "Spring is a great time to really focus on individual and team improvement and provide all players with the opportunity to play."
This Saturday, April 19, Seattle University will host the University of Idaho at Championship Field beginning at 10 a.m. On April 26, the Redhawks will head across town to face Seattle Pacific, a Division II Final Four team from 2007, beginning at 1 p.m. Finally, on Saturday, May 10, Seattle University heads south to Eugene, Ore., first taking on the University of Oregon at 10 a.m. before facing Oregon State at 3 p.m.
"Our goal is to focus as much as we can on the process and what we are trying to teach the players, not necessarily on the final outcome," said Woodward.
The Seattle University women's soccer program is coming off a 17-3-1 season which included a year-long national ranking and its third appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament over the past four seasons. The women's soccer team begins the transition to Division I next fall and is one of two SU sports that will be eligible for NCAA tournament berths beginning in fall 2010.