The Seattle University women's soccer team will kick off the 2010 campaign with a pair of Pacific-10 and 2009 NCAA Tournament qualifying squads this weekend. The Redhawks will open up the year with the crosstown Huskies of the University of Washington on Friday, Aug. 20, in a 5 p.m. match. Two days later, SU will host Oregon State in a 1 p.m. contest. Both games will be played at the newly renovated Championship Field on the Seattle U campus.
2009 Recap: The Redhawks are looking to build on their 7-10-1 record last year. 2009 presented several firsts for the team, as they competed in their first full season at the NCAA Division I level. The Redhawks competed against seven tournament qualifying squads and defeated a pair of postseason participants in 2009. Nine of their 10 losses were by one goal edgings, as they played 12 of their 18 scheduled contests on the road. Forward Kara Kuttler had a standout season for SU, as she scored 10 goals on the year to land herself on the all-time goal scorers list.
Redhawks Prep for 2010 with Exhibition Victory: The Redhawks kicked off 2010 action with a 2-1 exhibition victory over Trinity Western on Aug. 15, at Championship Field. After a scoreless first half, SU got on the board twice in less than a minute span. Senior Kara Kuttler received a cross from newcomer Shawna Anderson. Fifty-seven seconds later, freshman Mary Hill took the ball from about 35 yards out and drove it in for an unassisted goal. The Spartans pressed their luck at evening the score in the 79th minute as a foul was committed in the box. TWU's Natalie Boyd successfully took the penalty kick; however SU shut down Trinity Western's momentum for the remainder of the game. Seattle U outshot TWU 20-2, with 11 shots on target to the Spartans two.
What Woodward Says: "We are excited for our first game. It is always exciting to get back onto the field for the season opener. Playing two Pac-10 and 2009 NCAA Tournament participants in Washington and Oregon State will help us gage where we are and what areas we need to improve on."
Follow the Game: Fans can follow all the Redhawk women's soccer action this weekend by logging onto www.GoSeattleU.com. Live Twitter and Facebook updates will be available for the entire game.
Redhawks to Open Up 2010 at Home: Seattle U will kick off the 2010 campaign with the University of Washington (8/20) and Oregon State (8/22) this season. The Redhawk women will be the first team to play on the newly renovated Championship Field.
Kuttler Ready for Senior Season: Kara Kuttler will look to carry over her offensive momentum for 2009 into her senior season. Last year she scored 10 goals, landing her on the all-time goal scorers list.
10 Newcomers to the Roster: The Redhawks welcomed nine freshmen and one sophomore transfer to the roster to add depth across the board. The team also has three redshirt freshmen ready to make their collegiate debuts, as well.
Scouting Washington: The crosstown Huskies of the University of Washington open with the Redhawks for the second consecutive season. Entering opening weekend, UW received ranking votes by the NSCAA. They concluded 2009 with a 16-6-4 overall, 3-3-3 Pac-10 record for a fifth place finish in their conference. They earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament and reached the second round.
The Huskies return eight starters, including top offensive threat McKenna Waitley, who knocked in six goals and tallied five assists for 17 points. Fellow top-scorer Veronica Perez, who scored in six goals and posted three assists graduated this last year.
On the defensive end, goalkeeper Kari Davidson returns after seeing action in all 22 contests last year for the Huskies. She tallied five shutouts and a goals against average of 0.95.
The Last Time Seattle U Faced Washington: The Redhawks opened the road half of the 2009 schedule at Washington. After Jamie Coe scored a first half go-ahead goal, the Huskies answered with a pair of second half scores to earn a 2-1 victory on Aug. 26. With the loss, Seattle U snapped their 2-0 start to the season.
Scouting Oregon State: The Beavers of Oregon State will open up the season with the Redhawks after playing an exhibition match with Trinity Western on Aug. 19.
Oregon State reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament last season after going 14-8-1 overall, 4-5 Pac-10. Their offense was guided by seven goals and a pair of assists from Chelsea Buckland, who will be a redshirt sophomore this season.
Between the pipes, Colleen Boyd started in 14 contests for the Beavers. The junior tallied four shutouts and a 7-6-1 record. The Oregon State defense shutout eight opponents on the year.
The Last Time Seattle U Faced Oregon State: Seattle U was edged 1-0 by the Beavers in their meeting on Sept. 11, 2009 at the Oregon Nike Classic in Eugene. OSU's Ashley Seal scored on a deflected save off of Redhawk 'keeper Madison Goverde midway through the first half. Despite giving up a goal in the first 45, the Redhawk defense played solidly, with Goverde tallying nine saves.