Seattle University head women's soccer coach Julie Woodward announced the 2011 schedule Wednesday. The Redhawks are slated to face top notch opponents this season, including four squads that made the 2010 NCAA Division I Tournament.
"Last year, we accomplished our goal of finishing in the top-100," said Woodward. "This year's schedule, once again, provides us the opportunity to test ourselves against some of the top teams in the country. Our players have shown their commitment to improve, as individuals and as a team. They make Seattle U women's soccer an exciting thing to be a part of and I am excited to see what we can accomplish in 2011."
SU will spend the majority of the year on the road, playing their first 10 games away from the comfort of Championship Field. The Redhawks open the year on Aug. 19 at Sacramento State, a NCAA Tournament participant. Last season Seattle U defeated the Hornets, 3-2, in double overtime at the Redhawk Invitational. SU will conclude their opening weekend of action at UC Davis two days later.
Before returning to play in Seattle, the Redhawks will face Idaho (Aug. 26) in Moscow, Idaho and Washington State (Aug. 28) in Pullman, Wash.
SU's first action of the season in the city of Seattle will be at the Husky/Nike Invitational hosted by the University of Washington. Seattle U will take on a pair of postseason tournament participants in Portland on Sept. 2, and host-UW on Sept. 4.
Following the tournament, SU will travel to Portland, Ore. for a pair of matches. The Redhawks will square off with Portland State on Sept. 9, who the Redhawks defeated 2-0 last year, and conclude the weekend with Cal Poly on Sept. 11.
Seattle U will spend their final weekend on the road before their home opener at a tournament hosted by UNLV in Las Vegas, Nev. The Redhawks will open with the Rebels on Sept. 16, before taking on San Diego State two days later.
After spending over a month on the road, Seattle U will host their season home opener in a Friday afternoon matchup with the University of San Francisco. The Dons head to the Emerald City for their game on Sept. 23, and are one of four West Coast Conference teams on the 2011 schedule.
The Redhawks will enjoy playing in front of the home crowd for a four-game stretch. Following their match versus USF, fellow WCC school Gonzaga will travel west for a game on Sept. 30. Last season the Redhawks shutout the Bulldogs, 2-0, in Seattle. Following their match versus the Zags, Seattle U will host Boise State on Oct. 2, who the Redhawks were victorious over last year in Idaho. Rounding out SU's home stand is their Oct. 9, meeting with Hawaii for the first time in program history.
Seattle U will return to the road to face a familiar foe in Cal State Bakersfield on Oct. 14. The pair of Independent squads met last season at Championship Field, with SU coming out on top 1-0. Following a one game stint in Bakersfield, Calif., the Redhawks will jet to the Lone Star State. In their furthest trip of the 2011 campaign, Seattle U will face off with the University of Texas in Austin on Oct. 23, before heading back home.
SU's final home game will be a Friday afternoon match with the University of Montana on Oct. 28. The contest will mark the Redhawks annual Senior Day ceremony and celebration.
Seattle U will conclude the season with a final pair of matches, beginning in Cheney, Wash. SU will face the Eagles of Eastern Washington on Oct. 30. The squads met in 2010 with Seattle U coming out on top, 3-2, off a golden goal in double overtime. The season will conclude in Los Angeles, Calif., as the Redhawks visit fellow Jesuit institution Loyola Marymount on Nov. 5.
Behind a roster chalk full of both veteran and incoming talent, the Redhawks will look to build upon their 12-5-2 record in 2010 and vie for an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.