“It was really great to be home after being on the road for so long,” said head coach Julie Woodward. “The first half was a little frustrating but I was ok with being up 2-0 at half; I was impressed that they took the coaching points to heart and we did a better job in the second half. I’m thrilled that we got another shutout. The depth of our team is pretty special and I think we have players coming off the bench and playing just as well, giving us a little bit of a spark. I thought Sarah [Coluccio] had a great game and has a special gift in terms of reading the game and the runs she makes. Emily Zimmer also had a special game for us. [Our depth] is exciting and it’s nice to see two of our defenders score goals as well. Overall, it was a great team win.”
Seattle U had two early chances to score, both with Summer Mason (Carlsbad, Calif.) front and center in front of the net. The second, a shot in the 18th minute, sailed just narrowly wide of the left post.
Kiana Kraft (Kent, Wash.) was able to break through for SU with her first goal of the season in the 29th minute after Karli White (North Bend, Wash.) fed the ball to Kraft right in front of the box.
In similar fashion, Sarah Coluccio (Seattle, Wash.) scored her first career goal just over two minutes later on an assist from Kraft. Coluccio’s goal came just 49 seconds after she entered the match.
Leading 2-0 at half, the Redhawks added to their tally as Kelly Beck (Tacoma, Wash.) scored her first goal of 2015 in the 55th minute on a long cross from Stephanie Spiekerman (Seattle, Wash.).
Hope Fleckner (Tacoma, Wash.) scored her first career goal as a Redhawk in the 66th minute off two previously deflected shots to give SU a 4-0 lead. In the 72nd minute, Kyla Danforth (Canyon Country, Calif.) gave Seattle U a final goal for insurance off a cross from Mason.
In net, Erica Gonzalez made two saves for the Vaqueros while Brianna Smallidge (Port Orchard, Wash.) saved the lone shot she faced.
As a team, Seattle U outshot UTRGV, 17-1, including 7-1 shots on goal. SU also earned 11 corner kicks in the contest. The match also marked the Redhawks’ fifth shutout in the last six games and sixth in the last eight.
Seattle U holds their annual Pink Match on Sunday, Oct. 11, playing host to New Mexico State at 12 noon. Fans will receive free admission to the match with a donation to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and there will be several other opportunities for fans to get involved at the match.