“In the first 10 minutes, we came out a little nervous and I think in past years, we would’ve let it continue that way but I thought we had good momentum,” said head coach Julie Woodward. “Portland is traditionally a top 20 program, so I was proud of our composure. Overall, it was a great game for us heading into our conference schedule.”
The Redhawks and Pilots remained scoreless through 45 minutes of play as SU led in the shot tally, 6-3.
Seattle U had several good chances including a shot by Stephanie Verdoia (Salt Lake City, Utah) in the 28th minute that sailed just wide left of the net. Madeline Racine’s (Sammamish, Wash.) free kick at the 35 minute mark was on target, but saved by the Portland keeper.
In the 55th minute, Natasha Howe (Mission Viejo, Calif.) would give the Redhawks the 1-0 lead on Racine’s first career assist, as she fed Howe with a long ball to the left side.
Brianna Smallidge (Port Orchard, Wash.) would make a key save in the 65th minute, but the Pilots’ Danica Evans would tie the game, 1-1, in the 69th minute, assisted by Emily Sippel off a previous blocked shot.
Verdoia’s shot in the 71st minute came near the net, but would bounce off the crossbar and the score would remain tied at the end of regulation forcing overtime.
Still tied through the first overtime, the Redhawks had the first of a couple of good chances to take the lead, as Howe’s shot hit the crossbar in the 97th minute. Julia Moravec (Spokane, Wash.) was taken down just outside the box soon thereafter, but Verdoia’s free kick would not reach the goal as the game went into a second overtime.
The Pilots nearly put the game away in the last 45 seconds of play on a saved shot and subsequent shot, sailing wide, but the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
In goal, Smallidge made five saves for Seattle U while Taylor Luty recorded the first 45 minutes, making three saves, and Hanna de Haan finished the match for Portland, making one save.
Seattle U opens their Western Athletic Conference season vs. Utah Valley on Sunday, Sept. 28 in a doubleheader with the men’s soccer team. The women play the Wolverines at noon while the men take on Gonzaga in their non-conference finale at 3 p.m.