“I was really happy with how the team responded after our halftime break,” said head coach Julie Woodward. “St. Mary’s is a very solid team and it was fun to see us create opportunities and score two very nice goals. I really thought Celia Vaughn had an excellent game today from beginning to end and Sunshine Soriano helped change the game with her pressure and intensity. It was nice to get a shutout and a really great team win on the road.”
Seattle U outshot St. Mary’s, 5-3, in the first half, two of which took place in the first 11 and a half minutes of play. A defensive game over the first period of play, the keepers were only required to make a combined four saves over the first 45 minutes.
The Redhawks returned from the halftime break with renewed intensity as Isabelle Butterfield (Bellevue, Wash.) scored what would prove to be the game-winner, the first of her career, in the 52nd minute, sneaking past the defender on the right side.
Credited with the assist on the first goal, Stephanie Verdoia (Salt Lake City, Utah) would find the net and add a goal of insurance in the 56th minute with a header off a cross by Taylor Ritzman (Holladay, Utah). The goal extended Verdoia’s season-opening streak to six straight games with at least one goal.
The Gaels would take four straight shots following the pair of goals, also earning a corner kick, but they were not able to decrease the deficit as Seattle U earned the 2-0 shutout.
In goal for the Redhawks, Brianna Smallidge (Port Orchard, Wash.) was credited with the shutout, making four saves while Julia McDonald was handed the loss for the Gaels, making three saves.
SU outshot SMC, 13-9, as a team while Butterfield, Verdoia, and Natasha Howe (Mission Viejo, Calif.) each took a team-leading two shots apiece. Vicki Shimkus led the Gaels with five shots, two on goal.
The Redhawks return to Championship Field to host their cross-town rivals, the Washington Huskies, on Friday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.
Stay tuned to GoSeattleU.com as well as Facebook (Seattle U Athletics; Seattle U Women’s Soccer), Twitter (@su_athletics; @seattleuwsoc), and Instagram (su_redhawks; seattleuwsoc) for all the latest updates on the team throughout the 2014 campaign.