SEATTLE – No. 15 Seattle University men's soccer won, 3-2 in double overtime, over Gonzaga in the 2021 season opener at Championship Field. Munier Hussen scored in the 107th minute to lift the Redhawks to victory on opening day.
Jesse Ortiz scored two goals to sustain the SU attack, but the Zags found a tying goal late in regulation. In the second OT, the Redhawks had success attacking the GU backline. They drew a corner kick that resulted in Hal Uderitz hitting the crossbar with a header and then Ortiz clipping the left post to keep the game going. In the 107th minute, Deniz Dogan sent in another corner that eventually went to Rory King. King hammered a shot off the crossbar and Hussen, playing in his first collegiate match, was on the spot to volley in the game-winner.
Hussen's double OT goal is our first goal in double overtime since Kyle Bjornethun scored to beat Utah Valley on Oct. 18, 2014 and the latest goal in a game by a Redhawk since Travis Heim on Sept. 4, 2011.
The Zags scored first, as Akili Kasim made an initial save, but GU put in a rebound for a 1-0 lead three minutes into the match.
As the half continued, SU methodically took over control. Displaying its skill, the Redhawks possessed the ball and worked horizontally to pressure the defense. Midway through the half, Abdel Kuku blasted a ball over the top to Habib Barry. Barry gained control and found James Morris on the right side. Morris drove and sent a cross to the far post. Ortiz leapt and headed in a goal to make it 1-1.
In the second half, Seattle U kept up its strong work, maintaining control and forcing the GU defense to retreat. Noe Meza intercepted a pass and found Ortiz at the top of the box. Ortiz dribbled to get space and loaded up for a left-footed smash past the Zag keeper in the 50th minute.
Each team created chances as the frame wore on, but it wasn't until late in regulation that Gonzaga tied it. Kasim made another key save, but the visitors found the rebound and scored to even the contest at 2 in the 81st minute.
The first overtime was sluggish, with neither side getting much traction until the dying seconds, when Gonzaga had a ball ricochet around and hit the post before falling away harmlessly.
The game was the first at Championship Field in 451 days. The win stretched SU's unbeaten streak to 17 games and extended the Redhawks' win streak in home openers to seven.
Seattle U kicks off WAC play on Saturday, as UTRGV visits campus. The match is scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff at Championship Field.
Jesse Ortiz scored two goals to sustain the SU attack, but the Zags found a tying goal late in regulation. In the second OT, the Redhawks had success attacking the GU backline. They drew a corner kick that resulted in Hal Uderitz hitting the crossbar with a header and then Ortiz clipping the left post to keep the game going. In the 107th minute, Deniz Dogan sent in another corner that eventually went to Rory King. King hammered a shot off the crossbar and Hussen, playing in his first collegiate match, was on the spot to volley in the game-winner.
Hussen's double OT goal is our first goal in double overtime since Kyle Bjornethun scored to beat Utah Valley on Oct. 18, 2014 and the latest goal in a game by a Redhawk since Travis Heim on Sept. 4, 2011.
The Zags scored first, as Akili Kasim made an initial save, but GU put in a rebound for a 1-0 lead three minutes into the match.
As the half continued, SU methodically took over control. Displaying its skill, the Redhawks possessed the ball and worked horizontally to pressure the defense. Midway through the half, Abdel Kuku blasted a ball over the top to Habib Barry. Barry gained control and found James Morris on the right side. Morris drove and sent a cross to the far post. Ortiz leapt and headed in a goal to make it 1-1.
In the second half, Seattle U kept up its strong work, maintaining control and forcing the GU defense to retreat. Noe Meza intercepted a pass and found Ortiz at the top of the box. Ortiz dribbled to get space and loaded up for a left-footed smash past the Zag keeper in the 50th minute.
Each team created chances as the frame wore on, but it wasn't until late in regulation that Gonzaga tied it. Kasim made another key save, but the visitors found the rebound and scored to even the contest at 2 in the 81st minute.
The first overtime was sluggish, with neither side getting much traction until the dying seconds, when Gonzaga had a ball ricochet around and hit the post before falling away harmlessly.
The game was the first at Championship Field in 451 days. The win stretched SU's unbeaten streak to 17 games and extended the Redhawks' win streak in home openers to seven.
Seattle U kicks off WAC play on Saturday, as UTRGV visits campus. The match is scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff at Championship Field.