Freshman Ava Ames' (Seattle, Wash.) golden goal in the 105th minute helped guide the Seattle University women's soccer team to win the Redhawk Invitational Sunday afternoon. SU came from behind with a pair of goals from tournament MVP Ames to defeat Sacramento State 3-2 in double overtime. This was the second extra period contest that the rookie striker scored the game-winner in. With the victory, SU improves to 7-4, while CSUS falls to 3-6-1.
"I am very glad we were able to come back from being down to win our tournament," said head coach Julie Woodward. "Ava had two great goals for us to help us win today versus a very good Sacramento State team."
The game kicked off with possession turning over often and neither side was able to get clear access to their goal. The Redhawk backline easily cleared out all Hornet advances until the 33rd minute mark, when CSUS' leading scorer Leah Larot received a cross from Jordan Carlberg in traffic. Larot put a touch on the ball and shot in the Hornets go-ahead goal to the left side.
After giving up a goal late in the first period, Seattle U began to increase their pressure on the Sacramento State box. With 40 seconds left in the first half the Redhawks earned a free kick about 30 yards out. Junior Kassandra Riozzi (Marysville, Wash.) slammed in a cross to the left side, where Ames was able to get her head on it and flick it into the goal past the diving Hornet goalkeeper to even the score to 1-1 heading into the intermission.
The Redhawks worked to keep control of the ball in the second half, preventing CSUS from getting open looks on the goal. Late in the half Seattle U pushed the ball deep into the Hornet box, freshman Shawna Anderson (Pasco, Wash.) fired off a shot in the 74th minute that deflected off Sacramento State's 'keeper Savannah Abercrombie. Riozzi followed through on the deflected shot, knocking in the go-ahead goal to the right side seconds later.
As the clock ticked down to the end of regulation, SU attempted to hold onto the ball and move it around to prevent CSUS from attempting to get the ball in the back of the net to send the game into extra periods. A brief defensive mishap on the Redhawks part cleared an opening for the Hornets' Erin Tarantino to shoot in the tying goal off a defensive deflection to send the game into overtime at the 88:30 minute mark.
Following a scoreless first overtime period, where both sides each had a shot on target, Woodward made several substitution changes to help bolster the offensive attack. In the final overtime period, the Redhawks once again pushed the ball aggressively into the Sacramento State half of the field. In the 105th minute of action, redshirt freshman Heather Thomas (Woodinville, Wash.) passed the ball off to freshman Monique Escalera (Riverside, Calif.). Escalera then crossed the ball to Ames, who was a couple yards out of the goal, where she was able to slam in the game-winner to keep the Redhawks perfect on the weekend.
In the game, SU outshot CSUS 17-13, with six shots on target to the Hornets' five. Goalkeeper Madison Goverde (Snohomish, Wash.) tallied three saves in the effort.
Joining Ames on the all-tournament team were freshmen Julia Besagno (Maple Valley, Wash.) and Escalera, and sophomore transfer Emma Levy (Sammamish, Wash.) was also selected to the team after posting a goal and an assist SU's opening match.
Up next for the Redhawks, Utah Valley will travel to Championship Field for a midweek matchup on Wednesday, Sept. 29, at 4 p.m. SU will also host Portland State on Sunday, Oct. 3, at 12 noon to close out next week's action.