Sophomore Ava Ames (Seattle, Wash.) showed veteran composure when she took Viking goalkeeper Melissa Ferguson one-on-one and sent in the game-winner to guide the Seattle University women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Portland State Sunday afternoon. With the win, SU split results at the Viking Soccer Classic and finished in second place in the weekend tournament. The victory also snapped a two-game Redhawk skid and improved their overall record to 5-3.

 In the 72nd minute, freshman Stephanie Verdoia (Salt Lake City, Utah) feed the ball to a driving Ames, who's only shot in the game proved to be the difference maker. It was also the forward's first goal of the season.

Newcomer Verdoia continued to be an offensive contributor with her first career assist. She leads the Redhawk offense with seven points on the year.

"I was proud of the overall attitude, work ethic and effort, and we did some good things at times. Ava's composure on the goal and her play made a difference for us," said head coach Julie Woodward.

After playing out the first half near its entirety, Portland State committed a foul in the box setting up a Redhawk penalty kick. Sophomore Julia Besagno (Maple Valley, Wash.) successfully took the penalty kick to give SU a 1-0 advantage at 44:43. In a game of SU season firsts, Besagno scored her first goal of the year off her second career penalty kick goal.

The Redhawks were unable to preserve their goal advantage in the second half, as Portland State's Amanda Dutra sent in a through ball to Teal Sigler in the box. Teagler managed to send in a shot to the left corner to even the game in the 60th minute.

Despite relinquishing their lead, SU made a series of substitutions to bring fresh legs onto the pitch and work to retake the lead; and that is exactly what they did behind Ames' game-winner.

Anchored by goalkeeper Madison Goverde (Snohomish, Wash.), the Seattle U defense would preserve their lead to earn their fifth win of the season.

Besagno, Goverde and central defender Jordan Salisbury (Federal Way, Wash.) were selected to the 11-player all-tournament team to represent the Redhawks.

Seattle U will remain on the road next, traveling to Las Vegas, Nev. for the UNLV NIKE Invitational. SU will face host-UNLV on Friday, Sept. 16, and conclude tournament action with San Diego State on Sunday, Sept. 18.

 

Viking Soccer Classic Results

1. Cal Poly

2. Seattle 

3. Boise State

4. Portland State

 

Viking Soccer Classic All-Tournament Team

Offensive MVP - Tiffany Gummow (Cal Poly)

Defensive MVP - Leslie Barkmann (Cal Poly)

11-Player All-Tournament Team

Tiffany Gummow (Cal Poly)

Leslie Barkmann (Cal Poly)

Shandon Rovetta (Cal Poly)

Makenzie Orand (Cal Poly)

Julie Mckee (Cal Poly)

Madison Goverde (Seattle U)

Jordan Salisbury (Seattle U)

Julia Besagno (Seattle U)

Chelsea Robinson (Boise State)

Mandy Nader (Boise State)

Teal Sigler (Portland State)