RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Seattle U women's soccer saw their 2023 season come to an end as they fell to Grand Canyon, 2-4, Saturday afternoon in the Western Athletic Conference championship game. The Redhawks put together a late rally but couldn't dig out of a four-goal deficit.
"I am so incredibly proud of each and every individual on this team," said head coach Julie Woodward. "I'm proud of what we've accomplished when times were tough and the resiliency the team showed all season long. I am proud of the willingness to show up every day and continue to work and improve whether things were going our way or not."
It was Kaylee Coatney who sparked a second half rally for the Redhawks, scoring in the 75th for her second goal of the tournament and third of the season. Emma de la Cruz would then score less than two minutes later for her second of the season. They nearly picked up a third shortly after Piburn but were called offsides as the comeback was cut short.
Match Timeline:
"This is a great group of young women with a team first attitude," Woodward added. "Each and every one of them were extremely selfless. They have a lot to be proud of this year. Our coaching staff is very grateful to have had this opportunity to work with this group. We will miss our seniors dearly."
Post-match Kassidy Kirgan, Kait Raffensperger, Kaylee Coatney, and Kacey LaBoda were all named to the WAC All-Tournament team.
The Redhawk's season ends with a record of 10-9-2, the 22nd 10+ win season in coach Woodward's tenure. It is also the ninth appearance in the WAC title match for the program.
"I am so incredibly proud of each and every individual on this team," said head coach Julie Woodward. "I'm proud of what we've accomplished when times were tough and the resiliency the team showed all season long. I am proud of the willingness to show up every day and continue to work and improve whether things were going our way or not."
It was Kaylee Coatney who sparked a second half rally for the Redhawks, scoring in the 75th for her second goal of the tournament and third of the season. Emma de la Cruz would then score less than two minutes later for her second of the season. They nearly picked up a third shortly after Piburn but were called offsides as the comeback was cut short.
??#?????????????? Championship | Emma de la Cruz of @seattleuwsoc makes it two goals in less than two minutes ?? SU trailing GCU 4-2 with under 14 minutes to go
— The Western Athletic Conference (@WACsports) November 4, 2023
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Match Timeline:
- 18' Yellow Card SU - Katie Piburn
- 21' Goal GCU
- 53' Goal GCU
- 62' Goal GCU
- 75' Goal - Kaylee Coatney (3)
- 77' Goal - Emma de la Cruz (2)
- 86' Yellow Card GCU
"This is a great group of young women with a team first attitude," Woodward added. "Each and every one of them were extremely selfless. They have a lot to be proud of this year. Our coaching staff is very grateful to have had this opportunity to work with this group. We will miss our seniors dearly."
Post-match Kassidy Kirgan, Kait Raffensperger, Kaylee Coatney, and Kacey LaBoda were all named to the WAC All-Tournament team.
The Redhawk's season ends with a record of 10-9-2, the 22nd 10+ win season in coach Woodward's tenure. It is also the ninth appearance in the WAC title match for the program.