Men’s Soccer

Seattle U battled San Jose State for rights to a first-round bye in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) tournament Nov. 4, as the Spartans started the game standing at 4-2-2 in conference play while the Redhawks were 5-3.

After a scoreless first half, San Jose State scored in minute 64 to gain a lead they would never relinquish, winning the game 1-0 and earning a day off in the tournament. As for the Redhawks, the loss ensured their place in the first round of the WAC Tournament vs. Grand Canyon University.

Women’s Soccer

The women’s soccer team returned to the WAC tournament looking to regain the conference crown and return to the NCAA tournament.

After a first-round bye, Seattle U took on an excellent defensive squad in New Mexico State University (NMSU) in the semifinals Nov. 4. The windy and cold conditions set the perfect stage for the physical matchup that ensued, as neither team was willing to concede a goal.

Seattle U Sophomore All-WAC Defender Kait Raffensperger stood out, stopping the Aggies’ attacks on numerous occasions as she patrolled the right side of the Redhawks’ defense. From perfectly timed slide tackles to reading passes well for steals, NMSU struggled to get past Raffensperger. When they did, they dealt with the Redhawks’ All-WAC Senior Goalkeeper, Jessica Berlin, who would total six saves in the game.

As the game marched past its 80 minutes, the Aggies made a final push toward victory. Redhawk Senior Defender Kacey Leboda attempted a slide tackle to steal the ball near the left corner flag but missed, tripping a NMSU player in the process. The foul led to Leboda’s second yellow card of the game, granting the Aggies a decisive penalty shot in the 85 minute. Boos rained down from Seattle U’s faithful fans.

Aggies’ Sophomore Midfielder Tati Jerman, who had never scored a collegiate goal up to this point, delivered a shot to the upper-left post to give NMSU a 1-0 lead; one they would not give up.

NMSU went on to defeat top-seeded Utah Valley in the final, propelling them to the NCAA tournament for the first time in their program’s history.

For the Redhawks, the loss marked the end of an impressive 2022 season. There is still cause for hope. With multiple All-WAC selections returning under the watch of Julie Woodward, Seattle U women’s soccer seems poised to return in a big way in 2023.

Men’s Basketball

The Seattle University men’s basketball team turned in a great offensive showing to start their season at the University of California, San Diego, winning by a score of 85-71. The Redhawks leaned on First Team All-WAC selection Redshirt Junior Cameron Tyson, who hit seven three-point shots en route to a career-high 35 points in 34 minutes. Fellow All-WAC selection Senior Riley Grigsby drained14 points on four three-pointers as the Redhawks shot a solid 41.2% from three-point land in the opener.

Women’s Basketball

Although it will not go down in the regular season books as a win, the Seattle U’s exhibition win over Saint Martin’s University was a resounding victory for the Redhawks.

After a dominant defensive first half, Seattle U rode the free throw shooting of Junior Peyton Howard to a 58-50 win. Howard’s free throw shooting alone accounted for half of the Redhawks 26 second-half points, as the guard from Spokane ended the game with a game-high 21 points. If the 18 turnovers for Saint Martin’s indicate anything, the Redhawks’ calling card will be a disruptive defense in 2022.

Seattle U will tip off non-conference play when they take on Oregon State in Corvallis, Ore., Nov. 10.

Volleyball

After nearly three weeks since their last home game, the Redhawks hosted the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Nov. 3 and NMSU Nov. 5.

Looking for their first conference victory, Seattle U opened the UTRGV game with a solid 25-20 first set, fighting back from a 19-14 deficit. Unfortunately, that fleeting burst of energy was not enough to win another set, as the Vaqueros took care of Seattle U in four sets. Nevertheless, Senior Shanice Horn’s 18 kills were a career-high and a bright spot on a tough outing for Seattle U.

On the final home game of the season against NMSU and Senior Day, the Redhawks put forth another valiant effort. They would again take the first set before they lost the next two by a combined seven points. In a crucial fourth set, the Redhawks would take it in extra points, winning 29-27 and demonstrating more fight. They would come up just short of a much sought-after conference win, losing the fifth set 15-13. Horn led the Redhawks in kills yet again with another career-high at 23.

The Redhawks will head to Phoenix to play Grand Canyon tonight and finish their season in Riverside, Calif. against California Baptist Nov. 12.