SCOUTING UTRGV (2-7-3, 0-3-0 WAC)
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (formerly UTPA) is on a five-game losing skid dating back to Sept. 16 and last earned a win on Sept. 12 vs. South Dakota. The second year program is led in scoring by Elisa Espino and Andreya Barrera, both with two goals, while Erica Gonzalez (8 starts, 15 GA, 1.83 GAA, 36 saves, .706 save pct.) and Maria Ericksen (4 starts, 3 GA, 0.64 GAA, 26 saves, .897 save pct.) have shared time in goal. In the Redhawks and Vaqueros’ (then Broncs) first all-time meeting last season (Oct. 19, 2014), SU came out on top with a 4-0 win in Edinburg.
SCOUTING NM STATE (3-9, 2-1 WAC)
The Aggies were on a three-game losing streak heading into conference play but have picked up two of their three wins of the season over the past two weekends in league competition, defeating UTRGV (Sept. 27) and Grand Canyon (Oct. 4). Aileen Galicia has a team high five goals and 11 points offensively while, in goal, Rian Nials (12 GA, 1.93 GAA, 40 saves, 0.769 save pct.) and Ashley Martin (18 GA, 3.00 GAA, 35 saves, 0.660 save pct.) have each made six starts. In the teams’ last meeting, the Redhawks eliminated NM State from the 2014 WAC Tournament with a 7-0 win in the semifinals (Nov. 7).
TICKETS
For all home games, single game tickets can be purchased online (Ticketmaster), by phone (206-398-GOSU), at the SU Ticket Office (1218 E Cherry), or starting 60 minutes prior to kickoff at the NE entrance to Championship Field. For season tickets, the Redhawk Sports Pass allows for GA seating for all men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, and baseball home contests.
WAC DIGITAL NETWORK
The Redhawks’ conference home opener vs. UTRGV this Friday, Oct. 9 will be broadcast on the WAC Digital Network (www.wacsports.com/live). Fans can watch the match online, on iPhone, or tablet for free on the website or through the WAC Digital Network app.
PINK GAME SUNDAY
Sunday, Oct. 11 will serve as the team’s annual Pink Match with proceeds going to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. There will be a silent auction with autographed items from the team as well as a 50/50 raffle. If fans make a donation to the SCCA on Sunday, they will also receive free admission to the game. Fans are also encouraged to wear pink to Sunday’s match in support of the cause.
SU AMONG NSCAA ELITE ACADEMICALLY
Seattle U is one of just over 200 schools whose men’s and women’s soccer teams both received the 2014-15 NSCAA Team Academic Award. This is the second straight year both teams have received the award while it marks the fifth consecutive year for the women.
FRESHMEN MAKING THEIR MARK
Five of seven Redhawks who have scored in 2015 thus far are freshmen - Karli White, Summer Mason, Kyla Danforth, Hunter Mar, and Hannah Carrothers have all found the back of the net this season while senior Julia Moravec and sophomore Jennifer Plummer have also added to Seattle U’s goal total.
WOODWARD’S 250TH
Head coach Julie Woodward picked up her 250th career win in a 1-0 shutout at Gonzaga on Sept. 4. Kyla Danforth scored her first career goal in the win while Brianna Smallidge earned her 17th career shutout. Her 200th career win came four seasons ago on Sept. 18, 2011 vs. San Diego State, a 3-1 win to conclude the UNLV NIKE Invitational.
VERDOIA NAMED TOP 30 FOR NCAA WOY
Recent alum Stephanie Verdoia was named a Top 30 candidate for the NCAA Woman of the Year, only the third in Seattle U history and second in Western Athletic Conference history. In its 25th year, the award recognizes graduating female student-athletes for excellence in academics, athletics, community service, and leadership. On Sept. 25, the top 30 was narrowed to a top nine (three from each division) and the winner will be announced at a ceremony in Indianapolis on Oct. 18.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Seattle U was on the road for seven straight matches earlier this season (Sept. 4-Oct. 4) and did not play at Championship Field between Aug. 30 and Oct. 9. During that time, the Redhawks posted four wins and five shutouts with a 4-0-3 record.
COMMODORE CLASH: SU DOWNS VANDY
The Redhawks recorded the program’s first victory over a SEC opponent with a 3-1 win vs. Vanderbilt on Aug. 30. Summer Mason scored her first career goal, while Julia Moravec added her first of the season. Karli White scored her second career game-winning goal in the victory.
BIRD FIGHT: SU TOPS OREGON
On Aug. 23, Seattle U defeated Oregon, 1-0, in 2OT on a 103rd minute game-winner by Karli White (assisted by Julia Moravec). Redhawk keeper Brianna Smallidge preserved the shutout with a PK save 19 seconds before the end of regulation.
SHUTOUT STREAK
In regular season play (including the 2014 conference tournament), the Redhawks recorded four straight shutouts and outscored their opponents 25-0 (Oct. 26-Nov. 9). Seattle U’s last lost of the 2014 season was a 1-0 loss to GCU on Oct. 10, their only WAC loss in the past two years (2013, 2014).
THE VERDOIA FILES
2015 graduate Stephanie Verdoia became one of the most decorated letterwinners in program history as well as the first female Seattle U student-athlete to be drafted/sign a professional contract with U.S. pro team (NWSL’s Borston Breakers). The 2014 Senior CLASS Award winner and Capital One Academic All-American of the Year was also named a 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year Top 30 candidate. Verdoia was a semifinalist for the prestigious Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup (2014-15), was named a NSCAA/Continental Tire Third Team All-American (2014), was named to the 2014 TopDrawerSoccer Postseason Best XI Third Team, and was a 2015 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winner. Leaving Seattle U as the program’s all-time career leader in both goals and points, Verdoia was invited to play with the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team in Spain (Feb. 21-Mar. 3, 2014) and received both NSCAA First Team Scholar All-America accolades, also named the 2014-15 Female Sports Star of the Year by the Seattle Sports Commission.
REDHAWKS PICKED TO WIN WAC
Seattle U was picked to win their third straight WAC title in the league’s coaches’ preseason vote. Natasha Howe and Kiana Kraft were also named to the Preseason All-Conference team.
LOOKING BACK AT 2014
The Redhawks defeated No. 23 Washington State, 2-1, in double overtime on Nov. 14, 2014, in Pullman in the NCAA Tournament First Round, marking the first ever victory over the Cougars. Seattle U then traveled to face No. 18 South Carolina at historic Fetzer Field in Chapel Hill, N.C., where they played the Gamecocks to a scoreless draw before ultimately falling in PK’s, 2-1. After the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Second Round and second straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament, they look to build upon their success in 2015.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (formerly UTPA) is on a five-game losing skid dating back to Sept. 16 and last earned a win on Sept. 12 vs. South Dakota. The second year program is led in scoring by Elisa Espino and Andreya Barrera, both with two goals, while Erica Gonzalez (8 starts, 15 GA, 1.83 GAA, 36 saves, .706 save pct.) and Maria Ericksen (4 starts, 3 GA, 0.64 GAA, 26 saves, .897 save pct.) have shared time in goal. In the Redhawks and Vaqueros’ (then Broncs) first all-time meeting last season (Oct. 19, 2014), SU came out on top with a 4-0 win in Edinburg.
SCOUTING NM STATE (3-9, 2-1 WAC)
The Aggies were on a three-game losing streak heading into conference play but have picked up two of their three wins of the season over the past two weekends in league competition, defeating UTRGV (Sept. 27) and Grand Canyon (Oct. 4). Aileen Galicia has a team high five goals and 11 points offensively while, in goal, Rian Nials (12 GA, 1.93 GAA, 40 saves, 0.769 save pct.) and Ashley Martin (18 GA, 3.00 GAA, 35 saves, 0.660 save pct.) have each made six starts. In the teams’ last meeting, the Redhawks eliminated NM State from the 2014 WAC Tournament with a 7-0 win in the semifinals (Nov. 7).
TICKETS
For all home games, single game tickets can be purchased online (Ticketmaster), by phone (206-398-GOSU), at the SU Ticket Office (1218 E Cherry), or starting 60 minutes prior to kickoff at the NE entrance to Championship Field. For season tickets, the Redhawk Sports Pass allows for GA seating for all men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, and baseball home contests.
WAC DIGITAL NETWORK
The Redhawks’ conference home opener vs. UTRGV this Friday, Oct. 9 will be broadcast on the WAC Digital Network (www.wacsports.com/live). Fans can watch the match online, on iPhone, or tablet for free on the website or through the WAC Digital Network app.
PINK GAME SUNDAY
Sunday, Oct. 11 will serve as the team’s annual Pink Match with proceeds going to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. There will be a silent auction with autographed items from the team as well as a 50/50 raffle. If fans make a donation to the SCCA on Sunday, they will also receive free admission to the game. Fans are also encouraged to wear pink to Sunday’s match in support of the cause.
SU AMONG NSCAA ELITE ACADEMICALLY
Seattle U is one of just over 200 schools whose men’s and women’s soccer teams both received the 2014-15 NSCAA Team Academic Award. This is the second straight year both teams have received the award while it marks the fifth consecutive year for the women.
FRESHMEN MAKING THEIR MARK
Five of seven Redhawks who have scored in 2015 thus far are freshmen - Karli White, Summer Mason, Kyla Danforth, Hunter Mar, and Hannah Carrothers have all found the back of the net this season while senior Julia Moravec and sophomore Jennifer Plummer have also added to Seattle U’s goal total.
WOODWARD’S 250TH
Head coach Julie Woodward picked up her 250th career win in a 1-0 shutout at Gonzaga on Sept. 4. Kyla Danforth scored her first career goal in the win while Brianna Smallidge earned her 17th career shutout. Her 200th career win came four seasons ago on Sept. 18, 2011 vs. San Diego State, a 3-1 win to conclude the UNLV NIKE Invitational.
VERDOIA NAMED TOP 30 FOR NCAA WOY
Recent alum Stephanie Verdoia was named a Top 30 candidate for the NCAA Woman of the Year, only the third in Seattle U history and second in Western Athletic Conference history. In its 25th year, the award recognizes graduating female student-athletes for excellence in academics, athletics, community service, and leadership. On Sept. 25, the top 30 was narrowed to a top nine (three from each division) and the winner will be announced at a ceremony in Indianapolis on Oct. 18.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Seattle U was on the road for seven straight matches earlier this season (Sept. 4-Oct. 4) and did not play at Championship Field between Aug. 30 and Oct. 9. During that time, the Redhawks posted four wins and five shutouts with a 4-0-3 record.
COMMODORE CLASH: SU DOWNS VANDY
The Redhawks recorded the program’s first victory over a SEC opponent with a 3-1 win vs. Vanderbilt on Aug. 30. Summer Mason scored her first career goal, while Julia Moravec added her first of the season. Karli White scored her second career game-winning goal in the victory.
BIRD FIGHT: SU TOPS OREGON
On Aug. 23, Seattle U defeated Oregon, 1-0, in 2OT on a 103rd minute game-winner by Karli White (assisted by Julia Moravec). Redhawk keeper Brianna Smallidge preserved the shutout with a PK save 19 seconds before the end of regulation.
SHUTOUT STREAK
In regular season play (including the 2014 conference tournament), the Redhawks recorded four straight shutouts and outscored their opponents 25-0 (Oct. 26-Nov. 9). Seattle U’s last lost of the 2014 season was a 1-0 loss to GCU on Oct. 10, their only WAC loss in the past two years (2013, 2014).
THE VERDOIA FILES
2015 graduate Stephanie Verdoia became one of the most decorated letterwinners in program history as well as the first female Seattle U student-athlete to be drafted/sign a professional contract with U.S. pro team (NWSL’s Borston Breakers). The 2014 Senior CLASS Award winner and Capital One Academic All-American of the Year was also named a 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year Top 30 candidate. Verdoia was a semifinalist for the prestigious Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup (2014-15), was named a NSCAA/Continental Tire Third Team All-American (2014), was named to the 2014 TopDrawerSoccer Postseason Best XI Third Team, and was a 2015 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winner. Leaving Seattle U as the program’s all-time career leader in both goals and points, Verdoia was invited to play with the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team in Spain (Feb. 21-Mar. 3, 2014) and received both NSCAA First Team Scholar All-America accolades, also named the 2014-15 Female Sports Star of the Year by the Seattle Sports Commission.
REDHAWKS PICKED TO WIN WAC
Seattle U was picked to win their third straight WAC title in the league’s coaches’ preseason vote. Natasha Howe and Kiana Kraft were also named to the Preseason All-Conference team.
LOOKING BACK AT 2014
The Redhawks defeated No. 23 Washington State, 2-1, in double overtime on Nov. 14, 2014, in Pullman in the NCAA Tournament First Round, marking the first ever victory over the Cougars. Seattle U then traveled to face No. 18 South Carolina at historic Fetzer Field in Chapel Hill, N.C., where they played the Gamecocks to a scoreless draw before ultimately falling in PK’s, 2-1. After the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Second Round and second straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament, they look to build upon their success in 2015.