"I am feeling very optimistic about this season," said head coach Julie Woodward, who is entering her 14th season at the helm of the program. "The potential of going to the tournament does add some pressure because it is a players and coaches dream. We are a big coaching staff that likes to take it one game at a time and to earn an at-large berth is going to be a challenge."
The Redhawks will have another challenging schedule, boasting three 2009 NCAA Tournament qualifying teams, and a slew of Pacific-10, WCC, Big West and WAC teams. While Woodward describes this year's schedule as much more balanced, Seattle U will have their work cut out for themselves.
"Last season's schedule was a great schedule in terms of strength and playing competitive teams that went to the NCAA Tournament," explained Woodward. "I almost feel to some extent that I over scheduled a bit, but I think it was good for us in a year that we were not playoff eligible. I think that is going to help us experience wise this year."
SU went 7-10-1 in 2009 and saw wins over a pair of NCAA Tournament teams. Nine of their 10 losses were by one goal and they played 12 of their 18 scheduled games on the road.
The Schedule
The year will kick off with a pair of Pac-10 and tournament-qualifiers in the University of Washington and the Oregon State traveling to Championship Field. In their meeting last year with both the Huskies and Beavers, the Redhawks were edged by a goal in both road contests.
"This year we start off our home weekend with two NCAA Tournament Pac-10 teams, which is great to kick off the year on our beautiful brand new field," said Woodward. "I think that experience of being in those games last year is really going to help us."
Starting off the season with high caliber teams, like UW and OSU, will help Seattle U see where they are and help them adjust their lineup in preparation for the remainder of the season.
SU will spend much of the year on the road again with home matches spread intermittently throughout their road schedule. While they host eight games at Championship Field, including the Redhawk Invitational from Friday, Sept. 24 to Sunday, Sept. 26, 10 contests will be played away from the comforts of home. Most of the month of October will be spent on the road to close out the regular season. Seattle U will celebrate their annual Senior Day celebration at their final home contest on Sunday, Oct. 3, in a noon match versus Portland State. Following their final weekend at home, they will travel to Texas for a game at Baylor (Oct. 15) and go to the Golden State for back-to-back trips.
Playing the Field
Woodward has added a lot of depth to the team heading into this season. Behind 16 returning letterwinners, 10 newcomers and three players who redshirted last year, SU has strength in numbers on their roster. The team brings back eight starters from 2009, including offensive leader Kara Kuttler (Redmond, Wash.), who scored 10 goals last year. Alongside the veteran returners, the newcomers will compete for playing time and starting spots. With the kind of roster depth the team has this year, competition for starting spots will competitive.
"We graduated some great players last year, but we have an amazing experienced recruiting class coming in," Woodward said. "With the experience of last year's schedule, and both the recruiting and returning classes, in addition to a balanced schedule, we have the potential to be successful."
Striking Up Top
Kuttler will headline the offense after cementing her name in the SU record books last year. Her 10-goal season landed her in the all-time goal scorers list, bringing her to 20 career goals. She will provide the veteran leadership and experience to help gel the team together. Alongside Kuttler, redshirt senior and fellow team captain Sarah Dean (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho), sophomore transfer Emma Levy (Sammamish, Wash.) and freshmen Ava Ames (Seattle, Wash.) and Shawna Anderson (Pasco, Wash.) will all compete for time at striker for the Redhawks.
In the Middle
The midfield will have the most depth this year, with up to 16 players having experience in the position. Junior Kassandra Riozzi (Marysville, Wash.) will be called onto anchor the central midfield. Classmates Taylor Fannin (Yakima, Wash.), Ali Malstrom (Salem, Ore.) and Lauren Munechika (Sammamish, Wash.) will compete for time on in the middle. Sophomores Taylor Bolibol (Woodinville, Wash.), Liana Heberer (Oceanside, Calif.) and Chelsea Jennings (Tacoma, Wash.), and redshirt freshmen Ashley Fritts (Spokane, Wash.), Kendall Stanley (Mukilteo, Wash.) and Heather Thomas (Woodinville, Wash.) will work for time both at the central or wide position. Newcomers Ames, Julia Besagno (Maple Valley, Wash.), Kat Prati (Moorpark, Calif.) and Jacqui Wallis (Lake Oswego, Ore.) all will vie for time in the middle, as well.
The Backline
The Redhawk defense returns three veteran players, beginning with the central defensive tandem of Nance Hill (Mercer Island, Wash.) and Jordan Salisbury (Federal Way, Wash.). They were an integral part of helping guide SU to four shutouts in 2009. Fellow returner, sophomore Carlee Norquist (Boise, Idaho), who was the only newcomer to start in every game last year, will hold down the left back position. She may also move up to the outside midfield, as juniors Renee Vandermause (Colbert, Wash.) and Brynn Watanabe (Bellevue, Wash.) will vie for time on the backline. Three newcomers will compete for spots in the defense, as well, beginning with freshman Mary Hill (Mercer Island, Wash.) The younger Hill will look for time at outside back alongside her older sister Nance. Classmates Alyssa Campagna (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Monique Escalera (Westminster, Calif.) will add depth to the outside slots too.
Between the Pipes
Like every field position, Woodward has depth in at goalkeeper with two returners and a newcomer joining the squad. Junior Madison Goverde (Snohomish, Wash.) has been the Redhawk starting 'keeper the last two seasons. She tallied four shutouts and helped SU earn seven victories last year. Senior Liz Homer (Richland, Wash.) has added veteran leadership to the position. She was a standout backup to Goverde in 2009, after transferring to SU last year. Freshman Brittany Lott (Fort Collins, Colo.) is a talented newcomer joining the goalkeeping staff this season. The trio of goalkeepers will all compete for time between the posts.