Weekly Release: UNLV and SDSU
This Week for the Redhawks: The Seattle University women's soccer team will conclude their season-opening 10-game road swing this weekend at the UNLV NIKE Invitational in Las Vegas, Nev. The Redhawks (5-3) will open action with tournament host UNLV (2-5-1) on Friday, Sept. 16, in a 7 p.m. match. Two days later, SU will face San Diego State (4-2-2) in a 10:30 a.m. game.
Last Time Out: Behind Ava Ames' game-winner, the Redhawks snapped a two-game skid on Sept. 11, against Portland State. SU defeated the Viking Soccer Classic host, 2-1, to take a second place finish in the four-team tournament. Seattle U dropped their opening match to Cal Poly on Sept. 9, 2-1. Freshman Stephanie Verdoia was a major offensive contributor on the weekend, tallying a goal versus the Mustangs and assisting on Ames' game-winner against the Vikings.
Follow the Redhawks: For the most up-to-date news and information about the SU women's soccer team, please log onto GoSeattleU.com. Live stats will be available for both games this weekend at UNLV.
On Deck: The Redhawks will finally host their season home opener on Friday, Sept. 23. Kickoff versus San Francisco is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Championship Field.
UNLV NIKE Invitational: Seattle U is one of four teams participating in this weekend's UNLV-hosted UNLV NIKE Invitational. The tournament also features: Hawaii and San Diego State; however SU will only face SDSU and UNLV at the two-game invite.
Almost Home: The Redhawks' 10-game road swing concludes this weekend at the UNLV NIKE Invite. The Redhawks will have played in five different states before hosting their season home opener on Friday, Sept. 23, versus USF.
Road Warriors: The Redhawks will only play five games at Championship Field this season.
The Woodward Tally: Head coach Julie Woodward currently boasts 198 career victories at Seattle University, and is on pace to break the 200-win mark. She is 198-76-25 all-time and is the winningest coach in SU women's soccer history and currently ranks No. 5 all-time in wins in a single sport at Seattle U. Please note, Woodward remains at the 198-win mark, as a forfeited match by Boise State in 2010 does not count as a victory by NCAA rules.
Viking Soccer Classic All-Tournament Team: Sophomore Julia Besagno, and seniors Madison Goverde and Jordan Salisbury were selected to the Viking Soccer Classic All-Tournament Team. The trio was integral on both the offensive and defensive end in SU's second place finish at the tournament.
No. 27 in the Nation: Goalkeeper Madison Goverde is tied-No.27 in the nation in saves, with 39. She boasts 247 career saves heading into this weekend's action.
Ames Named Featured Student-Athlete of the Week: Sophomore Ava Ames was named the GoSeattleU.com Featured Student-Athlete of the Week following her game-winning performance at the Viking Soccer Classic. Ames helped SU snap a two-game skid with her game-winning goal in the 72nd minute to guide SU to a 2-1 victory over Portland State. She boasts a 3.24 cumulative GPA as a pre-major in the Albers School of Business and Economics.
Scoring First: When scoring first the Redhawks are 5-0 on the year. SU snapped a five-game skid with their 2-1 victory at Portland State on Sept. 11.
Verdoia Continues to Anchor Offense: Freshman Stephanie Verdoia continues add to her already impressive playing resume. The newbie has not only started and played in all eight games this season, but leads the Redhawk offensive efforts. She's tallied three goals and an assist for seven points.
The Captains: Senior goalkeeper Madison Goverde and senior defender Renee Vandermause will captain the 2011 Redhawk squad.
Final Year of Independence: 2011 will mark SU's final season playing as an NCAA DI Independent. On July 1, 2012 Seattle U will officially join the Western Athletic Conference as full members.
One For the Books!: SU's 2-0 shutout victory over then-No. 8 Portland was the biggest win in Redhawk women's soccer program history. It also marked the highest win an SU team has earned since reclassifying back to Division I.
Scouting UNLV: The Rebels of UNLV are riding a two-game losing skid heading into this weekend's tournament. UNLV (2-5-1) dropped back-to-back 2-0 decisions at Pacific and UC Davis, ending a two-game unbeaten streak.
Leading the Rebel offense is Jenn Wolfe, who's scored a pair of goals, and Courtney Botelho, with a pair of assists and a goal.
Defensively, Kylie Wassell has started and played every minute in goal for UNLV this season. She's tallied a 0.94 goals against average, 32 saves and a pair of shutouts, while allowing opponents to score eight goals.
The Last Time Seattle U Faced UNLV: The Redhawks dropped a 2-1 decision to the Rebels in their last meeting on Oct. 2, 2009. After taking a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute off a Carlee Norquist goal, UNLV evened the game in the 75th minute and scored the game-winner in the 90th minute. The loss came in SU's opening match at the San Diego State-hosted Aztec Classic.
Scouting San Diego State: San Diego State (4-2-2), who has seen some time in the national polls this season, travels to Las Vegas following an undefeated weekend of work. They defeated Columbia, 1-0, on Sept. 9, before taking Long Beach State to a 1-1 draw on Sept. 11. This season the Aztecs defeated their only ranked opponent in then-No. 4 Portland, 1-0, at home.
Rachel Boaz has played in goal in all eight games for San Diego State. In 763:26 minutes, she's posted a 0.94 goals against average, 24 saves and three shutouts. She's allowed eight goals this season, while Megan Allaire has played under two minutes between the pipes and has allowed one goal.
Offensively, Cat Walker has scored five goals for 10 points in eight games. Three different Aztec players have a pair of goals on the year, including Tiffany Hurst who also has a pair of assists.
The Last Time Seattle U Faced San Diego State: San Diego State handed Seattle U a 2-0 defeat on Oct. 4, 2009 to keep the Redhawks winless at the Aztec Classic. SU held a 4-3 shots on goal advantage in the match, but could not connect with the back of the net in the contest.