“We hadn’t gone to overtime this season, so that was an important box to check, especially before the NCAA Tournament,” said head coach Pete Fewing. “Championships are never easy and I give Utah Valley a lot of credit; they’re a very good team and had to play with 10 men for two overtimes and they stuck with it. Good teams find ways to win and sometimes that involves penalty kicks. I was really pleased we were able to go 5-for-5, because last year we struggled with PK’s. I’m really excited for our guys and now it’s on to the NCAA Tournament.”
In the 64th minute, Alex Neff gave Utah Valley a 1-0 lead on a direct free kick after one of the Wolverines was taken down just outside the box.
The Redhawks kept their WAC title hopes alive as Hamza Haddadi (Shoreline, Wash.) scored on a PK with just under four minutes remaining to even the score, 1-1, sending the game into overtime. In the 88th minute, Shane Haworth (Puyallup, Wash.) and the Redhawk backline came up with a huge save to clear the ball out of the box on a Utah Valley corner. With 49 seconds remaining in regulation, Utah Valley keeper Collin Partee was given an immediate red card for a late, hard hit on Seattle U’s David Olsen (Auburn, Wash.).
One of Seattle U’s best overtime chances came in the 98th minute on a shot by Nick Prasad (Surrey, B.C.) that UVU’s Avery Miller was able to save and the Redhawks controlled play offensively through the second overtime.
Seattle U would go 5-for-5 on PK’s after the Wolverines missed their first, capped by Haddadi in his first appearance back since injury to come away with the title.
As Creighton lost on Sunday, Seattle U remains tied for the most wins in the nation with the Bluejays (17).
Kyle Bjornethun (Snohomish, Wash.), Olsen, Cameron Rohani (Cartersville, Ga.), and Sergio Rivas (Albuquerque, N.M.) were named to the All-Tournament team while Olsen was named MVP.
Seattle U awaits their place in the NCAA Tournament bracket in the Selection Show on Monday, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. PT on ncaa.com. The team, coaches, and staff will gather to watch the show in Student Center 160 on Seattle U’s campus and fans, supporters, and media are welcome.
Stay tuned to GoSeattleU.com as well as Facebook (Seattle U Athletics), Twitter (@su_athletics; @SeattleU_MSO), Instagram (su_redhawks), and Snapchat (su_athletics) for all the latest updates on the team throughout the postseason.