Seattle University Only Team to Make First Second Round Appearance in 2014: After winning their second straight Western Athletic Conference title, Seattle University women’s soccer (15-4-2) recorded a program first, defeating Washington State, 2-1 in double overtime in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Marking the program’s first NCAA Tournament victory, the Redhawks are the only team making their first all-time appearance in the round of 32. SU will face South Carolina on Friday, Nov. 21 at 4 pm ET/1 pm PT in Chapel Hill, N.C. with the winner facing the winner of No. 6 North Carolina/Colorado on Sunday. Links to live stats and video for the match will be on the women’s soccer schedule page at GoSeattleU.com.
Ticket Information: Tickets for the Second Round game will be $10 for adults, $5 for students (seven years old through college age)/senior citizens (55+) and $3 for groups (20 or more). Tickets can be purchased on North Carolina Athletics’ website www.goheels.com.
Scouting No. 18 South Carolina (13-5-4): South Carolina, the No. 3 seed, will appear in their fifth NCAA Tournament Second Round in the past six seasons after advancing past Clemson on penalty kicks in the First Round. Sophie Groff (6 g, 3 a, 15 pts) and Savannah McCaskill (5 g, 5a, 15 pts) lead the Gamecocks offensively while, in goal, Sabrina D’Angelo has allowed just 13 goals in 22 games for a 0.58 GAA, making 54 saves and recording 10 shutouts. D’Angelo, alongside SU’s Stephanie Verdoia, is also one of 10 finalists for the 2014 Senior CLASS Award.
Seattle U Defeats Washington State in NCAA Tournament First Round: Stephanie Verdoia put Seattle U ahead in the 33rd minute, dribbling past a defender and beating the WSU keeper from eight yards out to give SU a 1-0 lead through halftime. In the 80th minute, Beau Bremer crossed the ball in to Mariah Powers who tied the game, 1-1, ultimately sending the match into overtime. Natasha Howe would score the golden goal in the 108th minute, dribbling past a pair of defenders and beating out Gurveen Clair, the WSU keeper, for the unassisted game-winner.
Record-Breaking: On Oct. 26 (Senior Day) vs. Chicago State, Senior Stephanie Verdoia broke both the Seattle U all-time career records for points and goals. With her goal in the 7th minute, she set the new record for points and with her goal in the 34th minute, she set the new record for goals. Verdoia surpassed Trisha Tateyama (1996-1999) for the points record, who recorded 116 during her SU career and Nichole Sauvageau (1999-02), who recorded 45 goals during her Redhawk career. Going into this weekend, she is the only DI women’s soccer player to rank in the top 10 in both goals and assists.
Verdoia Passes Seattle U Single Season Goals Record: On Nov. 9, 2014 in the WAC Tournament championship game Stephanie Verdoia became Seattle U’s all-time single season goal scoring leader now with 22 in 2014 going into the NCAA Tournament Second Round. She surpassed 20 goals, recorded both by Ingrid Gunnestad in 1990 and Trisha Tateyama in 1999.
Ending On a High Note: In their final four matches heading into the NCAA Tournament (two regular season, two WAC tournament), they outscored their opponents 25-0 with four straight shutouts, recording shutouts in five of their last six contests.
WAC All-Tournament Team: After winning the WAC tournament title for the second straight season, Stephanie Verdoia was named Tournament MVP while Isabella Guerry, Kiana Kraft, and Julia Moravec were also named to the All-Tournament Team.
Redhawks Lead All-WAC Teams With Six, Verdoia Repeats as Offensive POY: Senior captain Stephanie Verdoia earned her second straight Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year title while Seattle U led all teams with six All-WAC Selections. Verdoia, Taylor Ritzman, and Kiana Kraft represented SU on the First Team while Natasha Howe, Kelly Beck, and Stephanie Spiekerman were named to the Second Team.
Verdoia, Wallis Named Academic All-District: Seattle U women’s soccer earned two Capital One Academic All-District honors for 2014 as Stephanie Verdoia received her third straight honor, second straight First Team honor and Jacqui Wallis was named to the Second Team (named to First Team last season). As a First Team honoree, Verdoia advances to consideration for Capital One Academic All-America, which will be announced later this year.
Verdoia Named Senior CLASS Award Top 10 Finalist: Announced as a top 30 candidate in September, Stephanie Verdoia was named a Top 10 Finalist for the 2014 Senior CLASS Award, one of the most prestigious awards for collegiate senior student-athletes, which celebrates accomplishments in four areas - classroom, community, character, and competition. Fan voting comprises 1/3 of the total vote for the winner, which will be announced at the 2014 Women’s College Cup championships in December. Fans can vote once per day until Nov. 24 at www.SeniorCLASSAward.com.
Ticket Information: Tickets for the Second Round game will be $10 for adults, $5 for students (seven years old through college age)/senior citizens (55+) and $3 for groups (20 or more). Tickets can be purchased on North Carolina Athletics’ website www.goheels.com.
Scouting No. 18 South Carolina (13-5-4): South Carolina, the No. 3 seed, will appear in their fifth NCAA Tournament Second Round in the past six seasons after advancing past Clemson on penalty kicks in the First Round. Sophie Groff (6 g, 3 a, 15 pts) and Savannah McCaskill (5 g, 5a, 15 pts) lead the Gamecocks offensively while, in goal, Sabrina D’Angelo has allowed just 13 goals in 22 games for a 0.58 GAA, making 54 saves and recording 10 shutouts. D’Angelo, alongside SU’s Stephanie Verdoia, is also one of 10 finalists for the 2014 Senior CLASS Award.
Seattle U Defeats Washington State in NCAA Tournament First Round: Stephanie Verdoia put Seattle U ahead in the 33rd minute, dribbling past a defender and beating the WSU keeper from eight yards out to give SU a 1-0 lead through halftime. In the 80th minute, Beau Bremer crossed the ball in to Mariah Powers who tied the game, 1-1, ultimately sending the match into overtime. Natasha Howe would score the golden goal in the 108th minute, dribbling past a pair of defenders and beating out Gurveen Clair, the WSU keeper, for the unassisted game-winner.
Record-Breaking: On Oct. 26 (Senior Day) vs. Chicago State, Senior Stephanie Verdoia broke both the Seattle U all-time career records for points and goals. With her goal in the 7th minute, she set the new record for points and with her goal in the 34th minute, she set the new record for goals. Verdoia surpassed Trisha Tateyama (1996-1999) for the points record, who recorded 116 during her SU career and Nichole Sauvageau (1999-02), who recorded 45 goals during her Redhawk career. Going into this weekend, she is the only DI women’s soccer player to rank in the top 10 in both goals and assists.
Verdoia Passes Seattle U Single Season Goals Record: On Nov. 9, 2014 in the WAC Tournament championship game Stephanie Verdoia became Seattle U’s all-time single season goal scoring leader now with 22 in 2014 going into the NCAA Tournament Second Round. She surpassed 20 goals, recorded both by Ingrid Gunnestad in 1990 and Trisha Tateyama in 1999.
Ending On a High Note: In their final four matches heading into the NCAA Tournament (two regular season, two WAC tournament), they outscored their opponents 25-0 with four straight shutouts, recording shutouts in five of their last six contests.
WAC All-Tournament Team: After winning the WAC tournament title for the second straight season, Stephanie Verdoia was named Tournament MVP while Isabella Guerry, Kiana Kraft, and Julia Moravec were also named to the All-Tournament Team.
Redhawks Lead All-WAC Teams With Six, Verdoia Repeats as Offensive POY: Senior captain Stephanie Verdoia earned her second straight Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year title while Seattle U led all teams with six All-WAC Selections. Verdoia, Taylor Ritzman, and Kiana Kraft represented SU on the First Team while Natasha Howe, Kelly Beck, and Stephanie Spiekerman were named to the Second Team.
Verdoia, Wallis Named Academic All-District: Seattle U women’s soccer earned two Capital One Academic All-District honors for 2014 as Stephanie Verdoia received her third straight honor, second straight First Team honor and Jacqui Wallis was named to the Second Team (named to First Team last season). As a First Team honoree, Verdoia advances to consideration for Capital One Academic All-America, which will be announced later this year.
Verdoia Named Senior CLASS Award Top 10 Finalist: Announced as a top 30 candidate in September, Stephanie Verdoia was named a Top 10 Finalist for the 2014 Senior CLASS Award, one of the most prestigious awards for collegiate senior student-athletes, which celebrates accomplishments in four areas - classroom, community, character, and competition. Fan voting comprises 1/3 of the total vote for the winner, which will be announced at the 2014 Women’s College Cup championships in December. Fans can vote once per day until Nov. 24 at www.SeniorCLASSAward.com.