Seattle U Women get the goal that beats Portland State (plus photos)

by Seattle University

Seattle University women’s soccer, playing host to Portland State on Sunday September 2 at Championship Field, remained in a draw up until the final 15 minutes of the match, when a goal by Stephanie Verdoia (Salt Lake City, Utah) lifted the Redhawks to the 1-0 victory. This was Seattle U’s third straight home win this season.

“I was really pleased with our second half,” said head coach Julie Woodward. “In the first half, I thought we were outplayed a little bit. At halftime, we gave them some tactical things that we wanted them to change, and I think they did a great job of that. I’m really happy about this win, because Portland State is a good team, and I feel like it was hard-fought and well-earned. It was a great service by Melissa [Busque] and a great finish by Stephanie Verdoia. So, I credit the win mostly to the great second half we had.”

The Redhawks are pleased after Stephanie Verdoia’s goal in the final stages gave Seattle U a 1:0 win on Sunday at Championship Field. (Dale Garvey)

With both teams playing great defense and Portland State leading in shots, with just five to Seattle U’s three, the score remained 0-0 at the halftime buzzer.

The draw continued until the 76th minute, when Verdoia put the ball in the net, assisted by Melissa Busque (St. Bruno, Quebec, Canada). This was Verdoia’s first goal of the season, as well as Busque’s first assist.

“Hard work and teamwork,” said Verdoia when asked what resulted in the win. “Our team works really hard to help everyone score and to be up there, and get the opportunity, so I was just lucky to have it this game. You see how many girls score on our team and that’s because we’re really talented and there’s many players who can do it for us.”

#24 Stephanie Verdoia works the middle. Later she was the goal-scoring hero for the Redhawks. (Dale Garvey)

The Redhawks outshot the Vikings, 14-9, with 11 of Seattle U’s shots coming in the second half.

Brianna Smallidge (Port Orchard, Wash.) played all 90 minutes in goal for Seattle U, recording her first career complete game shutout.

Lainey Hulsizer also played all 90 minutes in goal for Portland State in her fourth start of the season.

Breanna Smallidge got the shutout in goal for the Redhawks. (Dale Garvey)

This was the final game of the homestand for Seattle U, hitting the road for four straight home games after playing four of their first five at home. They head to Gonzaga on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. before playing Pac-12 powerhouses Oregon (Sept. 14) and Oregon State (Sept. 16) and rounding out the road stretch at Portland on Sept. 21. They return home for their final non-conference match, hosting Utah Valley at 12 p.m. on Sept. 23.

To catch all the action this season, visit http://www.GoSeattleU.com or call the Redhawk ticket office at (206) 398-GOSU (4678) to purchase season tickets. Men’s and women’s soccer season tickets are $75 apiece for reserved seats and $50 for general admission. Single game tickets are available at the gate 60 minutes prior to kickoff before each match.

More action shots from the match by Dale Garvey can be viewed below!