SEATTLE – Seattle University women’s soccer has won a total of eight Western Athletic Conference (WAC) titles since 2013. Coach Julie Woodward has set up the Redhawks for a strong opportunity to add to that total in 2019.
SU returns seven starters from last year’s WAC Tournament championship squad, including seniors Rachel Bowler and Jessie Ray, who were both named All-WAC Preseason this month. The Redhawks were selected preseason favorites in the WAC coaches’ poll and will also host the 2019 WAC Tournament in November.
Woodward needs six wins to reach 300 victories in her SU career. In her previous 22 seasons, the Redhawks have never won fewer than seven games in a single season. In the last six seasons, Woodward has led Seattle U to four WAC Tournament titles and four WAC regular-season crowns. SU is the only Division I program to appear in each of its last six conference championship matches.
Bowler, along with fellow seniors Kelsey Vogel and Olivia Ovenell, anchors the Redhawk backline. In its run to the WAC Championship, SU recorded a shutout streak of 316:58 and gave up just one goal in 624:38 of play over its final six games against WAC opponents. Sophomore Gina Leete and junior Mikaela Morey will see time defensively this year.
Ray and junior Leahi Manthei will provide offensive production up front in 2019. Ray paced SU with eight goals and seven assists despite missing six games due to injury last year. Manthei contributed five goals and three assists on a team-high 55 shots in 2018.
Senior Holly Rothering, a 2018 All-WAC Second Team pick, will lead the midfield group. She tallied two goals and an assist to go with her stellar defensive work last year.
In goal, senior Mackenzie Curry and freshman Madison Waguespack will compete for the starting role. Curry was the starter on the 2016 WAC title team, while Waguespack has impressed in preseason camp.
Sophomores Leete, Bailey Hall, and Paige Malm are expected to fill larger roles this season after seeing playing time in 2018.
Woodward also has a strong group of newcomers to add depth to the roster. Gabe Jillings, a transfer from the University of Arizona, redshirt freshman Lauren Brown, and freshman Ava Benedetti will be factors in the midfield this season. Kacey LaBoda, another freshman, will be in the mix defensively.