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After coming off a successful 12-5-2 run in 2010, the Seattle University women's soccer team is ready to pick up where they left off and field another competitive season in 2011. A strong mix of veteran leadership and an experienced incoming freshmen class will undoubtedly help the program improve and build a strong base at the NCAA Division I level.
The Redhawks, who will once again spend a majority of the season on the road, will open their first 10 on the road, head to Northern California for a pair of season-opening matches. SU will open the year on Friday, Aug. 19, at Sacramento State. First kick is slated for 5 p.m. against the Hornets. Two days later, Seattle U will travel to UC Davis for a 1 p.m. game.
"We are very excited about our first game and I feel like we had a good preseason," said head coach Julie Woodward, who is entering her 15th season at the helm of the program. "We have good additions to the team that we feel are going to contribute."
"We like the strength of our schedule and we are playing a lot of great teams. As a coaching staff we are excited to see how we are going to look in our first game, since we have only had an intersquad game this preseason."
Recapping Last Year: The Redhawks completed their third year competing as an NCAA Division I Independent team last season. Seattle U put together a seven-game unbeaten streak and went on to finish with a 12-5-2 overall record. They once again faced a tough slate of opponents, including four NCAA Tournament participating squads. The Redhawks went 2-2 versus tournament teams, seeing victories over Sacramento State and UC Irvine.
The season also saw the progression of the program at the NCAA Division I level, as the team was regionally ranked in the NCAA West Regional Top-10 Poll for a majority of the season. Graduating senior Kara Kuttler also marked Seattle U's first Pacific All-Region selection.
A Look at the Schedule: Returning alongside Woodward to coach the Redhawks is fourth season assistant Rich Schreiner, and third season assistants Katie Hultin and Allison Tenney. Similar to the years past, Woodward and her coaching staff have put together another strong schedule that will lead to competitive action throughout the regular season. Seattle U is set to play three preseason nationally ranked squads in perennial powerhouse Portland, local rival the University of Washington and an unfamiliar opponent in the University of Texas.
In addition to three ranked opponents, the Redhawks are playing top notch talent primarily along the West Coast, including a trio of West Coast Conference teams. SU will open up the home half of the season with the WCC's San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 23. Woodward and company will also get a taste of their new conference, the Western Athletic Conference, with Idaho. The Redhawks will also face a pair of Pac-12 teams, in the ranked Huskies of UW and Washington State.
"There isn't one game we are looking forward to more. There is never a game you can look over and I think that is the greatest thing. Again, the experience for the student-athlete is that there is no game you are showing up and thinking we should win this. Every single game is going to be a close and competitive game," explained Woodward.
"We look at the traveling thing as a good opportunity, as a learning experience and a fun experience. I think sometimes you get weary from being on the road, but I think our traveling isn't too far, California, back in Washington and a tournament at Portland State. Nothing is too far or too taxing," she continued, with the exception of a solo trip to Austin, Texas to take on UT.
New Kids on the Block: The Redhawks boast a solid six-player incoming freshman class, as the group will add depth and versatility to the lineup. The six newbies will all be called on to contribute in different ways, whether it is getting a starting nod, providing fresh legs off the bench or being supportive of their teammates from the sidelines. Woodward anticipates seeing some of the freshmen break into the starting 11 and them all to grow tremendously as soccer players this season.
"We have a great freshmen class and I am really excited about this group. All of them are going to contribute in one way or another. It is interesting as we made it through the first couple weeks of preseason. The longer they're here and practicing they're becoming more experienced each and every day. I think especially the last few days they've really started to look really good," Woodward stated.
The Goalkeepers: Between the pipes the Redhawks will look to senior Madison Goverde to continue to hold down the goalkeeper position. The team co-captain has been a consistent performer over her three-year career. She has seen action in all 58 games played over her collegiate career, starting all but one and that was to give last year's senior backup keeper Liz Homer the start on Senior Day. In 2010, she helped Seattle U put together six shutouts and posted a 1.03 goals against average and 61 saves.
"The greatest thing about Madison is she is an amazing leader, who has the respect of every one of her teammates and the coaching staff. I think she is a great athlete, person and leader. She has had a great career here and I hope for her that she is going to top it off with an amazing senior year. She is consistent and has improved every year," commented Woodward.
SU also has a pair of youngsters who will learn the position and collegiate game under Goverde's tutelage. True freshman Aris Coover and redshirt freshman Brittany Lott will look to be the Redhawks up-and-coming keepers of the future and vie for time behind Goverde.
A Veteran Backline: Anchored by three-year starter senior Jordan Salisbury and a veteran returning cast, the SU backline provides consistency and fluidity. Alongside Salisbury, fellow co-captain and senior Renee Vandermause, junior Carlee Norquist and sophomore Mary Hill, along with the several other players who have experience in the position will look to hold down a strong defensive line.
"We had a great spring with our projected line. They have worked together for so long, that is really paying off for us. They have all looked really great in the preseason, proving to be organized and great communicators. They are competitive and each bring something different to our backline," said Woodward.
Holding Down the Middle: The most depth this season will be in the midfield, as 19 of SU's players have experience playing the in the center. Veterans Julia Besagno and Kassandra Riozzi, who held down the central midfield for much of last season, along with a mix of returners and newcomers, Woodward will have a lot of options in the lineup.
"In our midfield is going to be one of the greatest things for us because on any day a certain number of them can start. In the spring, we had several returning student-athletes who played significant minutes including Julia, who played every minute of her freshman season, and Taylor (Bolibol), who is much improved playing in the middle. We also have freshman Stephanie (Verdoia) who is competing for a starting spot too. "
Striking Up Top: The Redhawk striking attack will look to last season's offensive leader in Emma Levy, who tallied six goals and four assists for 16 points, to get the ball in the back of the net consistently. Alongside Levy, sophomores Ava Ames and Shawna Anderson return to build upon their rookie campaigns, where the duo combined for five goals and an assist. Newcomer Megan Daniels will also compete for minutes up top, in addition to fellow freshmen who will vie for time in SU's offensive attacking line.
"Up top is super exciting with the addition of some very talented freshmen and a good group of returners. It has made our team ultra competitive in a good way. Every single forward could step on the field and make a contribution for us. A lot of this preseason we had Ava, Emma, Shawna and Megan getting a lot of time for us," stated Woodward.
Follow the Redhawks: To keep up-to-date on all things Seattle U women's soccer, log on to www.GoSeattleU.com.