“I was very happy that we got the win today,” said head coach Julie Woodward. “I think our challenge has been coming out on Sunday after a Friday game and continuing to keep playing. We did a good job of doing the things [the coaches] asked them to do during pregame and I thought we had some great goals. Julia Besagno and Ava Ames were really dominant in winning balls in the air for us and it gave us the opportunity to keep the ball. There was very unselfish play by a lot of our players and it was a great team win for us.”
In the 27th minute, Stephanie Verdoia (Salt Lake City, Utah) scored what would be the game winner on a cross by Taylor Ritzman (Holladay, Utah) to put the Redhawks ahead, 1-0.
Soon after the halftime break, Verdoia struck again, knocking the ball straight past the keeper’s side on an assist by Kiana Kraft (Kent, Wash.).
In the beginning of the 83rd minute, Natasha Howe (Mission Viejo, Calif.) would add a goal for insurance, her fourth of the season, this time assisted by Verdoia, as the Redhawks came away with the shutout.
“Stephanie is a very unselfish player and a very complete player and I’m happy to see her get two goals and an assist today,” continued Woodward. “She’s very deserving.”
Verdoia led Seattle U with two goals, an assist, and eight shots, four on goal. Ava Ames (Seattle, Wash.) added seven shots, one on goal. Eight different Redhawks took at least one shot, as they outshot the Aggies, 27-3.
“It felt good to get out there as a team,” said Verdoia. “We’ve had some success lately but it all comes from defense, hard work, and everyone working together. I’m not the only one that puts it in the goal, but I wouldn’t be able to do it if I didn’t have 10 girls behind me supporting me, and lots more on the bench. It was a good team win.”
In goal, Brianna Smallidge (Port Orchard, Wash.) recorded one save in the win while New Mexico State’s Jessica Schutter made six saves, allowing all three goals.
Since allowing Grand Canyon to score a goal in the first half on Sept. 20, the Redhawks have now scored 13 straight unanswered goals in four matches.
Seattle U finishes a four game home stand, now hitting the road for the next three at Bakersfield (Oct. 4), Utah Valley (Oct. 6) and Grand Canyon (Oct. 11). The Redhawks will return to Championship Field on Friday, Oct. 18 to host Utah Valley. For all the latest updates on Redhawk women’s soccer, stay tuned to GoSeattleU.com, @su_athletics and @seattleuwsoc on Twitter, and su_redhawks and seattleuwsoc on Instagram.