A solid backline and continuous offensive pressure led the Seattle University women's soccer team to a 2-0 shutout victory over West Coast Conference foe Gonzaga University Sunday afternoon at Championship Field. The dynamic offensive duo of senior Kara Kuttler (Redmond, Wash.) and sophomore transfer Emma Levy (Sammamish, Wash.) combined to score both of the Redhawks goals and helped guide Seattle U to their fourth consecutive victory. SU improves to 4-2 on the year, while GU falls to 2-3-1.
"It feels excellent to get our first victory at home today," said head coach Julie Woodward. "I thought we came out and had great offensive pressure early and we played solidly throughout the game. After a tough double overtime game on Friday the team came out and played great all around soccer, which shows the character of this squad."
Seattle U put on the offensive pressure early and maintained possession of the ball for much of the 90 minute contest. The Redhawks pushed the ball deep into the Bulldog box immediately. The GU defense attempted to clear the ball out, but Levy received it and headed it over a Gonzaga defender to an oncoming Kuttler. With a wide open lane six yards out, Kuttler put a couple touches on the ball before knocking in her first goal of the year at the 1:30 minute mark.
Behind their early goal, Seattle U kept the momentum alive and continued to put a lot of pressure on the Gonzaga backline. In the sixth minute Kuttler took the Redhawks corner kick, where she found Levy in the middle of the box. Levy leaped up and headed in the ball past the Bulldog goalkeeper Lauren Ames. It was the Redhawk newcomer's first career goal.
"It was great for Kara to finally score her first goal of the season," commented Woodward. "Emma and Kara both were great offensive threats for us, coming together to score both goals today. The two of them play very well together up top for us."
After taking the early lead, Seattle U remained in sync on all ends of the field. The team pushed the ball forward and deep into the GU half of the field continuously and the backline played flawlessly preventing much pressure on goalkeeper Madison Goverde (Snohomish, Wash.). Gonzaga was held to seven shots in the game, with only one on target that Goverde easily got her gloves on. The victory marked the junior 'keeper's second shutout of the season.
"Not enough can be said about our backline. They were solid for us, preventing Gonzaga from getting many goal-scoring shots off. Our defense was well organized and helped us come away with our shutout victory today," concluded Woodward.
The veteran tandem of Nance Hill (Mercer Island, Wash.) and Jordan Salisbury (Federal Way, Wash.) anchored the central defense for the Redhawks. Freshmen Monique Escalera (Riverside, Calif.) and Mary Hill (Mercer Island, Wash.) both started at outside defender and had solid outings pushing the ball out of the SU half of the field. Junior Renee Vandermause (Colbert, Wash.) also saw time at right back and made several great stops preventing Gonzaga breakaways.
The Redhawk offense tallied 13 shots in the game, with four on net. Kuttler led the team with four shots, including a pair on goal, while Escalera, who saw minutes in the midfield as well, tallied a pair. In the midfield, Kassandra Riozzi (Marysville, Wash.) fired off a pair of shots, and redshirt freshman Heather Thomas (Woodinville, Wash.) was just shy of scoring SU's third goal of the game. In the 79th minute she received a cross that she got her head on. The ball went just high and hit the crossbar, going over the goal.
Seattle U will hit the road this weekend, as they travel to Idaho for a pair of games. The Redhawks will take on Idaho State on Thursday, Sept. 9, in a 4 p.m. match. Three days later, SU will square off with 2009 NCAA Tournament participant Boise State in a noon contest.