SEATTLE – Seattle University women's soccer held off New Mexico State, 3-2, Saturday afternoon. Ava Benedetti scored two goals for the second straight game in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) match at Championship Field.
The first half saw both sides struggle to gain much offensive traction. Madison Waguespack made a save and the Redhawks (10-4-2, 9-2-2 WAC) earned a corner kick, but the match was contested in the midfield with each team having moments of success, but no goals were found after 45 minutes.
The Redhawks came out with purpose to start the second half and their efforts paid off immediately. In the 47th minute, Sydney Carr's throw-in was redirected to Leahi Manthei, who passed to an open Benedetti. The sophomore smashed a right-footed shot from 15 yards out to beat the Aggies' goalkeeper and give SU a 1-0 lead.
In the 61st minute, Kate Connelly set up Carr for a long run down the right alley. She pushed forward to the goal line and shook free from her defender. Carr then turned to find Benedetti wide open, where she deposited a left-footed shot into the back of the net to make it 2-0.
After the visitors got on the board to halve the margin, SU put up a key insurance goal in the 74th minute. Manthei's cross went wide and Hallie Bergford collected the loose ball on the right side. She dished back towards goal, where Kaitlynn Delveaux was on the spot to finish at point-blank range for a 3-1 advantage.
NM State scored again to get within a goal late, but the Redhawks held on for their seventh home win of the season.
SU outshot the Aggies, 16-7, on the day. Waguespack made three saves in goal.
Prior to the match, SU honored its senior class, as Manthei, Kelsey Eagle, and Mikaela Morey were recognized.
The Redhawks head to California Baptist for their regular-season finale on Friday, Apr. 9.
The first half saw both sides struggle to gain much offensive traction. Madison Waguespack made a save and the Redhawks (10-4-2, 9-2-2 WAC) earned a corner kick, but the match was contested in the midfield with each team having moments of success, but no goals were found after 45 minutes.
The Redhawks came out with purpose to start the second half and their efforts paid off immediately. In the 47th minute, Sydney Carr's throw-in was redirected to Leahi Manthei, who passed to an open Benedetti. The sophomore smashed a right-footed shot from 15 yards out to beat the Aggies' goalkeeper and give SU a 1-0 lead.
In the 61st minute, Kate Connelly set up Carr for a long run down the right alley. She pushed forward to the goal line and shook free from her defender. Carr then turned to find Benedetti wide open, where she deposited a left-footed shot into the back of the net to make it 2-0.
After the visitors got on the board to halve the margin, SU put up a key insurance goal in the 74th minute. Manthei's cross went wide and Hallie Bergford collected the loose ball on the right side. She dished back towards goal, where Kaitlynn Delveaux was on the spot to finish at point-blank range for a 3-1 advantage.
NM State scored again to get within a goal late, but the Redhawks held on for their seventh home win of the season.
SU outshot the Aggies, 16-7, on the day. Waguespack made three saves in goal.
Prior to the match, SU honored its senior class, as Manthei, Kelsey Eagle, and Mikaela Morey were recognized.
The Redhawks head to California Baptist for their regular-season finale on Friday, Apr. 9.