University of Washington
Seattle
Keever, Kufeld Lead Huskies Past Redhawks
September 20, 2014 | Women's Soccer
SEATTLE – Kimby Keever scored her fourth goal of the season and Megan Kufeld came up with a huge save on a penalty kick to lead UW women's soccer to a 1-0 victory over Seattle University Friday night at Championship field.
“This was a very difficult game and I think both teams were getting unlucky at times,” UW head coach Lesle Gallimore said. “We created some chances but they were very good on the counter. We got caught up quite a few times. Obviously Megan saving a penalty kick was huge. For us to keep battling and fighting until we got the game winner was impressive to me. We really hung in there.”
The Huskies (6-2-0) outshot the Redhawks (4-3-0) by a count of 20 to 13, but failed to break through until Keever found the back of the net in the 66th minute. The freshman received a pass in stride from midfielder Amanda Perez and was loose behind the Seattle backline. She took a touch around keeper Brianna Smallidge and then slotted home her second goal in two games.
Kufeld preserved the victory for the Huskies by saving a Redhawks penalty kick, which would prove to be their best scoring chance. Seattle forward Stephanie Verdoia took the penalty kick early in the second half after a Redhawks player was pulled down in the box. Kufeld dove to her right to deflect the shot and preserve what was then a scoreless tie.
The Huskies held the majority of the possession in a scoreless first half and pressured Smallidge early and often, outshooting the Redhawks 11 shots to five in the first half, but couldn't quite get on the end of any scoring opportunities. The UW attack was balanced throughout the first frame, with seven different players recording shots. Kate Bennett, Amanda Perez, Shannon Simon and Havana McElvaine each had two shots.
Despite fewer shots, Seattle U had perhaps the best scoring chance of the first half when Redhawks forward Taylor Ritzman's header on frame forced a diving save by Kufeld. Ritzman was set up by Madeline Racine's corner kick.
The Huskies open their Pac-12 schedule with a trip to Eugene, Ore., on Thursday, Sept. 25 to face the Ducks before concluding their non-conference schedule at Portland on Sunday, Sept. 28 against the Pilots.
UW vs. Seattle University Final Stats
