“I was really proud with how we finished this weekend,” said head coach Julie Woodward. “We had lots of travel and playing at altitude, the team took care of business. Utah Valley is a great team and we were able to come away with another shutout and two great goals. Brianna and our backline continue to do an excellent job. Julia and Ava have become so consistent and provide us with such a strong midfield presence. It was really a great overall win that the team grinded out.”
The Redhawks struck early and often, outshooting the Wolverines 5-1 in the first ten minutes of play.
In the 38th minute, SU broke through as Stephanie Verdoia (Salt Lake City, Utah) headed the ball in from eight yards out off a cross by Julia Moravec (Spokane, Wash.). Jacqui Wallis (Lake Oswego, Ore.) was also credited with an assist on the play.
Utah Valley threatened to equalize the score, with four shots to Seattle U’s two in the first 15 minutes of the second half, but the Redhawks again broke through with an insurance goal.
Natasha Howe (Mission Viejo, Calif.) secured the Seattle U win in the 77th minute as she scored off a cross from Mary Hill (Mercer Island, Wash.) as the ball volleyed off the crossbar and into the goal.
Ava Ames (Seattle, Wash.) led the Redhawks with six shots, one on goal, while Verdoia added five shots and a goal. As a team, SU outshot UVU, 20-14.
In goal, Brianna Smallidge (Port Orchard, Wash.) recorded four saves in the shutout victory for Seattle U while Utah Valley’s Lauren Sack allowed two goals, making three saves.
Since allowing Grand Canyon to score a goal in the first half of their match on Sept. 20, the Redhawks have now scored 17 straight unanswered goals.
Seattle U travels to Grand Canyon for a single conference match next weekend, facing the Antelopes on their home field on Friday, Oct. 11 at 4:45 pm PT. The Redhawks return home for their first ever game “under the lights” as they host Utah Valley on Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. “Like” Seattle U Athletics and Seattle U Women’s Soccer on Facebook, follow @su_athletics and @seattleuwsoc on Twitter, and @su_redhawks and @seattleuwsoc on Instagram for all the latest on the team.