With the score tied at 1-1 at halftime, both teams attempted to increase the offensive intensity after the intermission. Washington State drew a corner kick in the 71st minute, and Mallory Fox sent the free kick into the SeattleU box. Ashley Johnson was able to get her head on the ball, sending it into the net for her second goal of the season.
Two minutes later, the Cougars maintained possession, once again earning a corner kick opportunity. This time Fox's pass found the head of Kiersten Dallstream, but she was not able to put a full effort behind the header, and the ball trickled in front of the net. Tiara Pittman beat the SeattleU defense to the ball, deflecting it into the net for her third tally of the season to give the Cougars a 3-1 lead.
The Redhawks did not give up, exemplified by the play of Kara Kuttler (Redmond, Wash.) in the 80th minute. Kuttler received the ball just past the midfield line and started dribbling past several Washington State defenders into the Cougar box. She continued to advance the ball and, from about ten yards out, chipped it into the upper left corner of the net for her team-leading seventh goal of the season.
Seattle University had one final chance, as the Redhawks took control of the ball and moved it upfield as time wound down. Chelsea Jennings (Tacoma, Wash.) was able to get off a shot with five seconds remaining in regulation, but the ball sailed just wide, giving Washington State the one-goal victory.
"I am very proud of the way we played today against a top-notch opponent who has done well both within the Pac-10 and in non-conference play," head coach Julie Woodward said. "We came out with high energy and challenged them for the full 90 minutes. Although obviously I would have liked a different result, this was a good experience for our young players to take into the final four matches of the season."
Washington State (8-3-1) struck first in the 18th minute, as Elysse Van Lear set up Maggie Dougher on the right side of the field. Dougher's shot sailed over the head of SeattleU goalie Madison Goverde (Snohomish, Wash.) and into the net for her first goal of the season, giving the Cougars the early 1-0 lead.
With just under 14 minutes remaining in the first half, Seattle University drew a corner kick, and Kassandra Riozzi (Marysville, Wash.) took it from the right corner. Her pass sailed into the Cougar box, where Jordan Salisbury (Federal Way, Wash.) interrupted the ball's flight with her head, sending it past Washington State goalie Meghan Berlingo for her first career goal to tie the match at 1-1.
Washington State earned twice as many total shots as Seattle University, 16-8, led by Dallstream with three total shots, while Kuttler and Riozzi led the Redhawks with two shots each. Goverde and Berlingo were each credited with two saves in net, and each team finished with three corner kick opportunities.
Before the match, the Seattle University women's soccer program honored seniors Jamie Coe (Duvall, Wash.), Kate Edstrom (Portland, Ore.), Jamie Peterson (Bellevue, Wash.), and M'ily Reiter (Billings, Mont.) for their contributions to the program over the years.
Seattle University (5-9-1) will start the season-ending four-match road swing next Friday, Oct. 16, traveling to face Cal State Bakersfield for a 7 p.m. contest. The Redhawks will then head to Santa Barbara, Calif., to face UCSB next Sunday, Oct. 18, beginning at 1 p.m.