Soccer team drops season opener

Coming off a 3-2 overtime win in an exhibition match against Utah Valley University last Tuesday, the Weber State University Women's Soccer Team found itself on the wrong end of a hard-fought, defensive struggle with Seattle University last Friday.

Defense was the name of the game in the first half. WSU senior Shannon Thompson had several well-executed slide tackles, one coming inside the box to prevent a first-half score.

"Defensively we had a few breakdowns that cost us the game," Thompson said. "But overall, I think we had a lot of pressure and we held our own. It's just unfortunate. We gotta play all 90 minutes and we didn't today."

WSU senior Ashyton Webster also played an aggressive first half of defense, doing her part to shut down SU's offense, and WSU junior goalkeeper Rebecca Ritchie had several outstanding stops.

Both teams scored quickly in the second half with Weber State getting on the board first in the 50th minute when WSU freshman Ari Wood centered a perfect ball into a pack of anxious Wildcats. After WSU senior Haley McCoy deflected a shot off the goalie, WSU senior forward Whitney Smith scooped up the rebound and found the back of the net.

"The ball just hit my foot," Smith said. "I was following it in and got a scrappy goal."

It didn't take long for Seattle to respond. Less than two minutes after Weber State scored the opening goal, the Redhawks caught a break when Weber State defenders failed to clear a ball, giving SU's Kassandra Riozzi an open shot on goal. Ritchie nearly blocked the shot, but the ball found the open space between her outstretched hand and the bottom of the crossbar to even the match 1-1.

In the 59th minute, SU's Kara Kuttler broke through the Wildcat defense, dishing the ball to forward Jamie Coe, who put the second goal in for the Redhawks.

Weber State went in a frenzy during the final 30 minutes of the match but couldn't finish off the drives with a score.

"We just gotta finish," Smith said. "We had opportunities to find the back of the net, we just couldn't do it before the game was over."

The loss was a tough start to the regular season for the Wildcats, but Weber State Head Coach Tim Crompton said he was optimistic.

"It's early in the season and they're a really good team," he said. "We had some moments though, and we'll build upon those moments and get better game to game."

Experience will be an important step for the 13 freshman on the Wildcat roster this season, including several playing at crucial mid-field positions.

"I think they did pretty good today," Crompton said. "They're certainly capable. They have the ability. It just comes down to having time on the field and I think they'll get better and better as the season goes on."