This Week For The Redhawks: The Seattle University women's soccer team (4-4) will remain on the road for a mid-week contest at Gonzaga (3-3). The match will played at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, in Spokane, Wash. After four straight games away from home, SU will return to Seattle to host Utah State (4-2-1) on Sunday, Sept. 20. The 1 p.m. contest will be played at Championship Field.
Last Time Out: Despite dropping both games played at the Oregon Nike Tournament this past weekend, the Redhawks are playing some of the best soccer they have this year. They fell to Oregon State on Sept. 11, and to Oregon on Sept. 13, by identical 1-0 scores, but Seattle was able to compete and keep pace against the top-flight Pac-10 teams.
Both freshman Carlee Norquist and sophomore Brynn Watanabe were named to the all-tournament team for their efforts on the weekend. It was a first-time career honor the duo.
On Deck: After hosting Utah State, SU will travel to Oregon for a 7 p.m. contest against Portland State on Sept. 22, in Portland. Following their lone mid-week game, the Redhawks will return to home to host the San Francisco Dons on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m. at Championship Field
Coach Woodward's Take: "We had a pretty solid game against Oregon and I am hoping that we are capable of playing consistently at that level," said head coach Julie Woodward. "Gonzaga should be a great match up and test for us. We are also very excited to return home to host Utah State. They are also a very strong, athletic and physical team, and hopefully our previous games with Pac- 10 opponents will prepare us for this match up."
Follow the Game: Fans log onto www.GoSeattleU.com to follow both the Gonzaga and Utah State contests this week. The game at Gonzaga will also feature live video streaming.
Scouting Gonzaga: The Bulldogs of Gonzaga University host the Redhawks after going 0-2 this past weekend in Southern California. GU (3-3), fell to USC on Sept. 11, for their second shutout loss of the season. They were shutout by an identical 2-0 result by No. 5 UCLA two days later in Westwood.
Leading the Spokane, Wash. based squad is Lori Conrad. In six games played, she's tallied three goals, including a game-winner, and an assist, for seven points. Sheridan Jones leads the team in assists with three. Between the pipes, Jessie Thalman posts a 1.40 goals against average, with 21 saves, seven goals allowed and one shutout.
Scouting Utah State: Utah State heads to Seattle riding a 4-1-1 overall record. In their last contest they blazed by Houston Baptist with a 5-1 win, after falling to UTSA 1-0. Both games were played in Texas.
In goal, Molli Merrill holds a 1.12 goals against average and has allowed seven goal against. She's tallied 23 saves, in seven games, and has one shutout on the season. Leading the Aggie offense is Shantel Flanary, who has four goals and two assists in seven games. Lauren Hansen follows Flanary with three goals and two assists, for eight points.
The Aggies will take on the University of Washington on Friday, Sept. 18, prior to playing the Redhawks.
Perfect at Home: The Redhawks will look to extend their perfect 3-0 home record this weekend, as they face off with Utah State on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m.
This season SU has defeated Boise State (Aug. 21) and Idaho State (Aug. 23) by 1-0 margins in their opening weekend, and they shutout Eastern Washington 2-0 on Aug. 31.
Norquist and Watanabe Named to Oregon Nike All-Tournament Team: After strong performances at the Oregon Nike Tournament from Sept. 11-13, freshman Carlee Norquist and sophomore Brynn Watanabe were both named to the all-touranment team. This is the first time in the Redhawk duo's career that they have earned such an honor.
Norquist has made a major impact in her first season with the Redhawks. She is the only newcomer to start and play in all eight contests this season at left outside back. She has helped lead SU to four shutouts this season.
Watanabe, who did not see action as a freshman, has become a go to target for head coach Julie Woodward off the bench. She has played in six contests, including her first career start against Oregon on Sept. 13.
Redhawks Look for First Road Win: Seatte will look for their first road win at Gonzaga on Thursday. In all three of their away losses this season, SU has been edged by one goal.
Currently, the Redhawks are 4-4 overall, 3-0 at home, 0-3 away, and 1-1 at neutral sites.
Four WCC Teams on 2009 Schedule: On Thursday, Sept. 17, at Gonzaga the Redhawks will play the first of four games versus West Coast Conference (WCC) opponents.
SeattleU will host San Francisco on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m. and travel to Pepperdine on Thursday, Oct. 29, and close out 2009 at San Diego on Sunday, Nov. 1.