The Seattle University women’s soccer team produced all of the offense it needed in the first half, and the Redhawk defense controlled the rest of the match as Seattle U defeated New Mexico State, 3-0, Sunday afternoon in a Western Athletic Conference contest at Championship Field.
In the 10th minute, Kelly Beck (Tacoma, Wash.) was taken down within the 18-yard box, bringing about a penalty kick opportunity for the Redhawks. Karli White (North Bend, Wash.) quickly placed the ball onto the spot and sent it into the back of the net for her fifth goal of the season.
After Brianna Smallidge (Port Orchard, Wash.) made a save on a shot from New Mexico State’s Rebecca Mazzie, the Redhawks went on the counterattack in the 26th minute. White converted on her fourth shot attempt of the first half, sending a blast from the top of the box that was deflected into the net for her second goal of the match and team-leading sixth goal of the season.
Just over three minutes later, White again created offense for the Redhawks, taking a pass from Kiana Kraft (Kent, Wash.) and dribbling down the left side of the field into the box. Her crossing pass was redirected by Julia Moravec (Spokane, Wash.) into the net for her fifth goal of 2015, increasing the Redhawk lead to 3-0.
Smallidge was again challenged in the 33rd minute, but she was able to stop another Aggie shot, this time from Audrey Chavez, to keep New Mexico State off the scoreboard. In the second half, Jasarra Baca broke through the Redhawk defense for a one-on-one opportunity, but Smallidge again turned the point-blank shot away, finishing with three saves for her seventh shutout of the season.
“I continue to be really impressed by our defense, not only by getting the shutout, but also our ability to give up very few shots,” Seattle U head coach Julie Woodward said. “I am a little disappointed with the play in the second half, especially after going over our talking points at halftime to keep the ball and create more chances. Overall, I am thrilled that we got two conference wins this weekend and that we earned another shutout.”
This is the fourth straight shutout for the Redhawks, who have not allowed a goal in 407 minutes and 29 seconds, since the Utah Valley match on Sept. 26. Halfway through the conference schedule, Seattle U is in second place in the league standings with 11 points, just two points behind Utah Valley.
Seattle U outshot New Mexico State (3-11, 2-3 WAC), 23-6, led by White and Summer Mason (Carlsbad, Calif.) with five shots apiece. Rian Nials started in net for the Aggies and made two saves before being replaced at halftime by Ashley Martin, who kept the Redhawks off the scoreboard in the second half while making three saves.
Seattle University (8-2-3, 3-0-2 WAC) continued its four-match homestand next weekend, hosting CSU Bakersfield Friday, Oct. 16, starting at 5 p.m. and Grand Canyon Sunday, Oct. 18, beginning at 12 noon. Friday’s match against CSU Bakersfield will be carried by the WAC Digital Network, while Sunday’s contest will be streamed on GoSeattleU.com.