“It feels great going into Sunday’s game having two conference wins,” said head coach Julie Woodward. “I was really impressed with the way our team started the game. Scoring a goal early like that gets you off to a good start and changes the momentum in the game. I’m really happy we got the shutout and I’m impressed with the goals we scored.”
Just 20 seconds into the match, Stephanie Verdoia (Salt Lake City, Utah) put the Redhawks ahead 1-0 on a cross by Natasha Howe (Mission Viejo, Calif.).
The Redhawks had a prime opportunity to add to their score in the 24th minute as Taylor Ritzman (Holladay, Utah) side kicked the ball near the left side of the goal, but the ball bounced off the side post.
In the 31st minute, Ritzman sailed the ball in for her first goal of the season on a cross by Verdoia to give Seattle U the 2-0 lead going into halftime.
“It was really exciting and it was a great pass by Stephanie Verdoia,” said Ritzman. “It feels great to get our second conference win.”
In the 53rd minute, Howe added a goal of her own, assisted by Kat Prati (Moorpark, Calif.) and Verdoia to give SU a 3-0 lead, which proved to be the final score.
Ava Ames (Seattle, Wash.) led the Redhawks with six shots, while Verdoia added five. Overall, SU outshot UMKC, 20-3.
In goal, Brianna Smallidge (Port Orchard, Wash.) earned the win, while Aris Coover (Bellevue, Wash.) entered in the second half, making her second appearance of the season.
Since allowing Grand Canyon to score in the first half of SU’s 3-1 win on Sept. 20, Seattle U has now scored 10 straight unanswered goals.
SU remains at home for one final match before hitting the road for three straight, hosting New Mexico State (4-6-1, 1-2-0 WAC) on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 12 noon.