SEATTLE, WA -- With a playoff spot on the line, the Southern Utah University women's soccer team traveled to Seattle to take on Seattle University in a conference matchup which the Redhawks won 4-0. However, due to Abilene Christian drawing their match against GCU the Thunderbirds will advance to the post season and play in a conference tournament for the first time in 15 years.
The scoring got started early for the Redhawks when in the first minute senior Sarah Creighton connected with sophomore Caroline Penner on a cross pass in the penalty box, resulting in a quick tap-in goal for Seattle, giving them the early 1-0 lead.
It wasn't long before Creighton found herself the one scoring for Seattle, as in the 21st minute sophomore Marla Gaudlitz slipped a pass through the Southern Utah defense, finding Creighton for an easy goal making it 2-0 Redhawks.
The Redhawks didn't let off in the first half, scoring again in the 32nd minute when graduate student Makinzie Packwood corralled a missed shot from junior Nina Prusa and snuck it past Southern Utah goalie Julia Ortega making it 3-0 in favor of Seattle.
The defense for the Thunderbirds would tighten up a bit going into the second half, going 26 minutes before Seattle again scored, this time off of a stolen pass from the Thunderbirds, freshman Katie Piburn drove in and passed to freshman Emma de la Cruz at the top of the penalty box, who converted the open shot, which built on the Redhawks lead making it 4-0.
And that score would hold for the remainder of the game. With the win, Seattle moves to 7-8-2 overall and 5-2-1 in conference play. The loss bumps the Thunderbirds to 3-9-5 overall and 3-4-1 in conference play, snapping their two-game win streak in the process.
Quotes from Kai Edwards
"All that matters is that we gave everything we had this season, and we get rewarded with another week of play. Seattle is a top team in the conference and congratulations to them on the win. The 15 year wait is over, we are going to the conference tournament and I couldn't be more proud. This group stayed together all season and now gets to play another week of soccer. Thank you to President Mindy Benson, Doug Knuth and Dr. Cedric Brown for their support all season long. WE PLAY ON!"
What's next
The Thunderbirds now set their sights on Utah Valley University, the first-place team in conference who they will play on Monday, October 23 at 6 p.m. MT.
Written by: Aidan Mortensen
Editor: Anden Garfield
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