“Julia scored a great early goal that helped us get through the first half with a 1-0 lead,” said head coach Julie Woodward. “UMKC put us under a lot of pressure in the first half and we struggled. We responded very well and our team really had a strong second half, scoring two more goals and not allowing a single shot. I was very proud of the way they played today. It was a great team win and really nice to see Julia have two goals and Heather add another. She gave us a good spark.”
Julia Besagno (Maple Valley, Wash.) put the Redhawks ahead early, 1-0, on a header in the fifth minute, as the ball sailed through the Kansas City backline.
Seattle U regained control offensively in the second half as Taylor Ritzman (Holladay, Utah) and Stephanie Verdoia (Salt Lake City, Utah) added shots to start the period. The Redhawks also drew three corner kicks in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
In the 71st minute, Besagno added her second goal of the match to put the Redhawks ahead, 2-0, off a set piece from Kelly Beck (Tacoma, Wash.) with her first career assist.
Heather Thomas (Woodinville, Wash.) added a goal for insurance in the 82nd minute on an assist by Ritzman, crossing the ball in front of the Kansas City keeper.
The win extends the Redhawks’ current win streak to 11 games as they are still undefeated in conference play. Over the win streak, they have allowed just three goals dating back to Sept. 20.
Verdoia and Kat Prati (Moorpark, Calif.) led the Redhawks with three shots apiece, as the Redhawks outshot the Kangaroos as a team, 15-7.
In goal, Brianna Smallidge (Port Orchard, Wash.) recorded her eighth shutout of the season, making three saves. For UMKC, Nina Tzianos made seven saves.
The Redhawks have two regular season games remaining, including Senior Day on Friday, Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. vs. Idaho as SU will honor the 2013 senior class in their final regular season home match. SU closes out the season at Idaho on Friday, Nov. 3 before competing in the WAC Tournament in Las Cruces, N.M. on Nov. 8 and 10.