RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Seattle U women's soccer continued their postseason run, knocking off California Baptist, 2-1, Wednesday night in the WAC semifinals. Kait Raffensperger scored the opener, and Kaylee Coatney scored the game-winner as the Redhawks avenged their regular season loss to the Lancers.
Just like the game-winner in SU's opening round win over Southern Utah, the opener in the semifinals came off of a corner. The ball was whipped into the box in the 35th minute and was headed down by Raffensperger to the feet of Nina Prusa, who returned to sender for a shot to the back of the net. It was the third goal of the season for Raffensperger and her first in the run of play on the year.
After heading into the break with the 1-goal advantage, the Redhawks would double up the Lancers in the 58' off Coatney's second of the season. She shrugged off her defender in the box to catch up to the throw in from Kacey LaBoda, then rocketed a shot over the outstretched hands of the CBU keeper to make it 2-0.
The goal proved to be the game-winner when the Lancers converted a late penalty opportunity, but the Redhawks slammed the door shut from there thanks to stellar play from keeper Kassidy Kirgan and the backline to secure the win. Kirgan, who was named Freshman of the Year in the WAC, lived up to the title by making a season high nine saves on the night.
Match Timeline:
Just like the game-winner in SU's opening round win over Southern Utah, the opener in the semifinals came off of a corner. The ball was whipped into the box in the 35th minute and was headed down by Raffensperger to the feet of Nina Prusa, who returned to sender for a shot to the back of the net. It was the third goal of the season for Raffensperger and her first in the run of play on the year.
After heading into the break with the 1-goal advantage, the Redhawks would double up the Lancers in the 58' off Coatney's second of the season. She shrugged off her defender in the box to catch up to the throw in from Kacey LaBoda, then rocketed a shot over the outstretched hands of the CBU keeper to make it 2-0.
Julie Woodward joins the @signaturerings Post Match Interview to talk about @seattleuwsoc's win and the next matchup against Grand Canyon! #WACwsoc pic.twitter.com/Kqr6TMAtl5
— The Western Athletic Conference (@WACsports) November 2, 2023
The goal proved to be the game-winner when the Lancers converted a late penalty opportunity, but the Redhawks slammed the door shut from there thanks to stellar play from keeper Kassidy Kirgan and the backline to secure the win. Kirgan, who was named Freshman of the Year in the WAC, lived up to the title by making a season high nine saves on the night.
Match Timeline:
- 35' Goal SU - Kait Raffensperger (3) - Assisted by: Nina Prusa
- 41' Yellow Card SU - Jourdyn Curran
- 43' Yellow Card CBU
- 58' Goal SU - Kaylee Coatney
- 65' Yellow Card CBU
- 81' Goal CBU