On a rainy afternoon at Championship Field, a persistent Seattle University women's soccer team managed to overcome all the obstacles in their way to earn 2-1 overtime victory over Montana. Battling inclement weather and falling behind early in the second half did not hinder the determination of the Redhawks, as they forced overtime minutes and junior Taylor Bolibol (Woodinville, Wash.) scored the game-winner minutes into the first overtime period.
Due to the wet field conditions throughout the match, the ball was hard to control, both sides struggled to maintain consistent possession and it evened the pace of play.
"I was proud of the team because today wasn't the perfect conditions. I do think (the conditions) were an equalizer, as we like to play a pretty style of soccer. I was impressed with how we were able to get a little bit gritty and dirty and do what we needed to do to get the win. I am happy for our seniors; it was a dramatic way to win their last home game," said head coach Julie Woodward.
Stephanie Verdoia (Salt Lake City, Utah) opened the Redhawk offensive attack with a series of shots, including an on target shot towards the far post in the 17th minute; however UM's Kristen Hoon was there to make the save. Nearly two minutes later, Bolibol saw SU's best first half chance with an open volley that went just high and hit the crossbar.
In the 34th minute, Montana's Lauren Costa sailed in a long ball from the midfield setting up a potential opportunity for the Grizzlies. Costa's pass went just inside the 18-yard box, but goalkeeper Madison Goverde (Snohomish, Wash.) was there to grab the ball just before Grizzly forward Erin Craig could get her head on it.
With less than five minutes to play in the first half, Mary Hill (Mercer Island, Wash.) took a free kick midway through the UM half. Her cross found Jordan Salisbury (Federal Way, Wash.) inside the box, who headed the ball towards the far post. The Grizzlies' Hoon was able to read the header spot on and make the save to prevent SU from heading into halftime with the goal advantage.
The second half opened with Bolibol sailing in another volley, this time over her right shoulder, but the ball would go just high.
In the 57th minute, Montana's Ashley Robertson took the ball into the Redhawk half. She worked past the SU middle defenders in a paced individual effort; however Salisbury was able beat Robertson's run and prevent her from firing off an open shot to keep the game scoreless.
The Grizzlies' Maddie Simmel would respond and make it a 1-0 match at the 59:37-minute mark. She picked up a loose ball in the box and shot in the go-ahead goal from five yards out.
Seattle U picked up their efforts after going down and responded immediately to even the game. Kat Prati (Moorpark, Calif.) dished a short cross to Megan Daniels (Lake Forest, Calif.) inside the box, who headed in the ball to the near post to even the game at 1-1 in the 62nd minute.
As the clock ticked towards the end of regulation, Montana's Craig and Britta Hjalmarsson fired off last minute shots, but both were off target.
In their first overtime match since their season opening victory at Sacramento State, 2-1, on Aug. 19, the Redhawks took control of the ball following a quick UM blocked shot. In the 93rd minute, the ball was passed between SU players outside the Montana box. Eventually Emma Levy (Sammamish, Wash.) was able to find a clearing to cross the ball to the far post to an open Bolibol. At the 92:23-minute mark, Bolibol shot in the game-winner and her first goal of the season from five yards out.
In the match, both sides had six corner kicks and 12 shots apiece, with SU holding a 6-4 on frame advantage. Bolibol and Verdoia led the offensive efforts, with three and four shots, respectively.
The match marked SU's final home game of the regular season and prior to kickoff the program honored the graduating senior class. Seattle U (11-6) will conclude the regular season with a final pair of road matches, beginning at Eastern Washington on Sunday, Oct. 30 in a 1 p.m. match. They conclude the season on Saturday, Nov. 5, at Loyola Marymount at 1 p.m.