The win marked the Redhawks’ third straight Western Athletic Conference regular season title and earned the team the No. 1 seed in next week’s conference tournament. SU also emerges regular season conference play undefeated and now owns 12 total shutouts on the season.
“I’m really proud and happy for the team,” said head coach Julie Woodward. “We expected Utah Valley to come out tough because they’re a great team that keeps getting better every year. Our team kept fighting. Julia Moravec has been so solid and consistent for us all year and I thought Karli White had a special game for us. I love the resiliency of my team and how incredibly hard they work.”
After a first half battle with each team recording two shots, Karli White (North Bend, Wash.) broke through with the game-winner in the 53rd minute off a wide cross from Julia Moravec (Spokane, Wash.). Moravec and White now each lead the team with nine goals apiece on the season.
One of the Wolverines’ best chances came off a shot by Breanna McCarter in the 88th minute, which Brianna Smallidge (Port Orchard, Wash.) was able to corral.
In goal, Smallidge made five saves while Utah Valley’s Jessica Duffin made two. UVU outshot SU, 7-5, over the contest despite the loss.
After the Redhawks regained first place in league standings last weekend with a Utah Valley loss, tonight’s epic battle was set for the regular season conference title.
As the No. 1 seed, Seattle U earns a first round bye and will face the winner of the No. 4/No. 5 match on Friday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. PT.