Seattle University men’s soccer (3-1-0) and the University of Pennsylvania (2-1-0) remained scoreless through 75 minutes of play, but the Redhawks would break through with a pair of goals to earn the 2-0 shutout.
“A 2-0 win in the first home game of the year is always fun and getting the shutout is important,” said head coach Pete Fewing. “I thought the goals we scored were really important. We had good goals and tough defending. We’re still trying to get better on with the ball on our possessions and playing with the lineup we’re using. I was proud they never gave up; it was a good battle.”
The Redhawks recorded the first four shots over the first 20 minutes before allowing Penn to take a shot in the 22nd minute. The Quakers made up for lost time, as they recorded back-to-back-to-back shots in just over a minute’s time.
Brady Ballew (Marysville, Wash.) and Cameron Rohani (Cartersville, Ga.) added a pair of shots on goal in the 35th and 36th minutes, as Seattle U continued to drive towards the goal, but the score remained 0-0 at half. SU did not allow Penn a single shot on goal in the first half of action, outshooting the Quakers overall 20-10 in the match.
Ballew opened the second half with a shot in the first 30 seconds, which flew wide. Ian Hines-Ike (Littleton, Colo.) would take two of the next three shots, adding a corner kick, but neither could reach the back of the net.
In the 76th minute, Jeff Rose (Carmichael, Calif.) broke through with what would be the game-winner on an assist by Race Sciabica (Bellevue, Wash.) off the bench.
In the 87th minute, Ballew also was able to find the back of the net on a cross by Rohani to set him up straight in the middle.
Rose recorded a final shot, sailing wide, just 44 seconds before the end of regulation and the Redhawks would come away with the 2-0 shutout.
Ballew led Seattle U with six shots, two on goal, while Hines-Ike and Rohani added four and three shots, respectively. Ten different Quakers combined for 10 total shots.
In goal, Shane Haworth (Puyallup, Wash.) earned the win, making one save thanks to a strong Seattle U defensive line while Penn’s Max Polkinhorne recorded six saves in the loss.
The program also recognized Seattle U’s NCAA Division II National Championship Team at halftime, marking the 10 year anniversary of the team’s historic season.
Fans are encouraged to attend Sunday’s match as Tom Hardy, 1997 NAIA National Player of the Year, and Bobby McAlister, 2004 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year, are honored as their jerseys are retired.
Sunday’s match vs. UConn, broadcast nationally on NSCAATV, will kick off at 1 p.m. Fans at home can watch the action by tuning into www.nscaatv.com/c1821. Fans following along on social media are also encouraged to use the hashtag #SUvsUConn.