Verdoia’s seven points set a new career high, replacing her previous career high of six vs. Idaho on Oct. 7, 2012.
In the 51st minute, just after half, Taylor Ritzman (Holladay, Utah) sent in a goal to put SU ahead, 3-2, off an assist by Stephanie Verdoia (Salt Lake City, Utah).
The Redhawks padded their lead with a late-second half scoring frenzy, the first by Verdoia on touches by Kiana Kraft (Kent, Wash.) and Ritzman in the 76th minute
Bakersfield’s Hedda Regefalk completed her hat trick on an assist by Whitney Strong just 18 seconds later to narrow the SU lead, 4-3.
Natasha Howe (Mission Viejo, Calif.) would send home a pair of goals to put Seattle U ahead, 6-3, the first on an assist by Verdoia in the 79th minute and the second in the 83rd minute after the CSUB goalie came completely out of the box.
“I’m thrilled that we’re coming home from our first two-game conference weekend on the road with two wins,” said head coach Julie Woodward. “I was really impressed with our patience, attack, and finishing today. I think moving forward, ifwe can put the offense and defense together, it would be great. But we’re happy with two wins and looking forward to having both these teams on Championship Field next weekend.”
Verdoia gave Seattle U the early 1-0 lead in the 18th minute, heading it in off a cross by Celia Vaughn (Gig Harbor, Wash.). Just four minutes later, Regefalk evened the score, 1-1, in the 22nd minute off a long pass from Sarah Cook.
Kraft would put Seattle U ahead again in the 28th minute with a shot into the left side of the net for first goal of the season. Verdoia made the long pass from center to assist the goal.
Just 48 seconds before half, Regefalk tallied her second game-tying goal of the match, 2-2, after Redhawk keeper Brianna Smallidge (Port Orchard, Wash.) came out of the box to defend a previous attack.
In goal, Smallidge played 88:01, making three saves and earning the win, while Aris Coover (Bellevue, Wash.) entered for the final 1:59 of play. For the Roadrunners, Tori Ornela played the entire 90 minutes, making five saves.
Seattle U returns home to host both teams from this weekend, hosting Grand Canyon at 7:30 pm on Friday, Oct. 10 and Bakersfield on Sunday, Oct. 12.
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