Regular Season Champions Face Idaho for Home-and-Away: Seattle University women’s soccer (13-2-2, 10-0-0 WAC), remaining on top of league standings, recently officially clinched the WAC Regular Season Title. The Redhawks are riding an 11-game winning streak into their final weekend of regular season play, during which they’ve allowed just three goals dating back to Sept. 20. SU recently completed a seven-game shutout streak during which they scored 25 consecutive unanswered goals. SU is set to play a home-and-away with Idaho (4-13-0, 4-6-0) this weekend, hosting the Vandals on Friday, Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. and traveling to Moscow on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. Julia Besagno was named WAC Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 21-27), marking the sixth straight week that the Redhawks have earned at least one WAC nod (nine total this season). Besagno was also named WAC Player of the Week by College Sports Madness. Links to available live stats and video are on the women’s soccer schedule page at GoSeattleU.com.
Senior Day: SU will honor this year’s senior class and all those playing in their final regular season home match in Seattle U uniform on Friday, Nov. 1 prior to the match. The Redhawks will honor Heather Thomas, Ava Ames, Kat Prati, Julia Besagno, Monique Escalera, Alyssa Campagna, Jacqui Wallis, and Mary Hill.
Redhawks Clinch Regular Season Title: With one weekend of conference play remaining, Seattle U sits atop league standings with a perfect 10-0-0 WAC record, officially clinching the WAC Regular Season Title.
Regional Rankings: After moving into the top 10 four weeks ago, the Redhawks have now moved to No. 8 in the Oct. 29 edition of the NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division I Women’s West Regional Poll.
Besagno Named WAC Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 21-27): Julia Besagno received her first career WAC Player of the Week nod as she scored three goals in a pair of wins at New Mexico State (2-1 in 2OT on Oct. 25) and Kansas City (3-0 on Oct. 27). She scored two goals, including the game-winner, at UMKC, her first career two-goal match, as well as the first goal at NMSU. She tallied four shots, three on goal, with three goals and six points over the weekend. College Sports Madness also named Besagno WAC Player of the Week.
WAC Tournament: The 2013 WAC Tournament will be hosted by New Mexico State in Las Cruces, N.M. on Nov. 8 and 10. The top four of seven teams in the conference standings at the end of the regular season will qualify for the tournament, with the winner advancing to the NCAA Tournament. Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster or by calling (575) 646-1420.
Scouting Idaho (4-13-0, 4-6-0 WAC): With one weekend of regular season play remaining, Idaho looks to earn wins this weekend in order to qualify for next weekend’s WAC Tournament. The Vandals have lost five of their last six, but are on a one-game winning streak with a 1-0 victory at New Mexico State on Oct. 27. Alyssa Pease leads the team with three goals, six points, and 24 shots, 13 on goal in 2013. In goal, Marina Siegl has been the primary starter, recording 62 saves and a 1.47 GAA while Torell Stewart has made one start, appearing in 13 matches, making 37 saves. Last season, the Redhawks defeated the Vandals, 5-1, on Oct. 7, 2012 in their WAC home opener. Peter Showler is in his ninth season at the helm and is the longest-tenured coach in program history.
Kansas City (10/27): The Redhawks scored early and often as they defeated Kansas City, 3-0. With two regular season games remaining, the Redhawks clinched the Western Athletic Conference regular season title. Julia Besagno 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 and Stephanie Verdoia 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 with her first career assist. Heather Thomas 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 led the Redhawks with three shots apiece, as the Redhawks outshot the Kangaroos as a team, 15-7. In goal, Brianna Smallidge recorded her eighth shutout of the season, making three saves. For UMKC, Nina Tzianos made seven saves.
New Mexico State (10/25): The team extended their winning streak into double digits, notching their 10th straight win as they downed New Mexico State, 2-1, in double overtime in Las Cruces, N.M. Over the 10-game winning streak, the Redhawks have allowed just three goals since Sept. 20. The Redhawks struck first, taking the early 1-0 lead in the 12th minute as Stephanie Verdoia was pulled down in the box. Julia Besagno scored on the resulting penalty kick. Natasha Howe and Verdoia added shots for the Redhawks in the 19th and 20th minutes, but the ball remained near midfield as the next shot of the match would not come until 10 minutes later. In the 30th and 32nd minutes, Mary Hill and Heather Thomas added shots, both sailing wide, and the score remained 1-0 at the half. The Redhawks drew a corner kick in the 68th minute and again in the 77th minute, but they were not able to convert on the scoring chances. In the 85th minute, Layla Todd evened the score for the Aggies, shooting the ball into the net after a rebound off the crossbar following a free kick. Jennae Cambra was credited with the assist. In the first overtime period, the Redhawks looked to have taken the win, as Verdoia sailed the ball into the net, but Seattle U was called offsides and the goal was waved off. In the 106th minute, just over halfway through the second overtime period, Taylor Ritzman scored the game-winner, her fourth career game-winning goal, on a cross by Kat Prati. In goal, Brianna Smallidge made three saves in the win while Jessica Schutter made two saves, allowing two goals, including the game-winner. As a team, the Redhawks drew three corner kicks to NMSU’s two, and outshot the Aggies, 12-6. Verdoia led Seattle U with three shots, one on goal.