SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - Gonzaga (6-8-2) secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Seattle U (7-3-6) in front of 1,247 fans at Lubarsky Field on Saturday evening, with Katelyn Rigg's 83rd-minute winner proving decisive in a back-and-forth contest.
The scoring opened early when Kailee Wilson found the net for Seattle U in the 3rd minute, assisted by Caroline Penner. The Redhawks doubled their advantage through Penner's individual effort in the 11th minute. Gonzaga responded before halftime when Samantha Snorsky converted Lauren Chin's setup in the 41st minute to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Seattle U dominated the opening period, generating eight shots to Gonzaga's four. The Redhawks' aggressive press led to six corner kicks in the first 45 minutes, with Caroline Penner particularly active in creating chances. Gonzaga goalkeeper Lauren Chin made four crucial saves to keep her team within striking distance.
The second half saw Gonzaga seize momentum after several tactical adjustments. Amelia Severn equalized in the 67th minute off Annie Boyden's assist, setting up a tense final twenty minutes. The decisive moment came in the 83rd minute when Katelyn Rigg connected with Samantha Snorsky's cross to complete Gonzaga's comeback.
Final statistics highlighted the match's competitive nature, with Gonzaga recording 15 shot attempts to Seattle U's 14. The Bulldogs put nine shots on target compared to the Redhawks' three, while Seattle U held a significant 12-4 advantage in corner kicks. Both teams received one yellow card - Gonzaga's coming in the 69th minute for unsporting behavior, and Seattle U's Bella Bonnett being cautioned for dissent in the 87th minute.
Samantha Snorsky led Gonzaga's attack with a goal and assist, while Caroline Penner was Seattle U's standout performer with a goal and assist. Goalkeeper Lauren Chin finished with six saves for Gonzaga, proving crucial in the comeback victory. Amelia Severn's equalizer and consistent pressure throughout the second half highlighted her impact on the match.
The tactical battle shifted dramatically after halftime, with Gonzaga head coach adjusting the team's pressing approach to counter Seattle U's early dominance. The Bulldogs' improved ball movement and strategic substitutions, including the introduction of fresh attackers, helped turn the tide in their favor.
This victory extends Gonzaga's unbeaten streak to three matches, following draws against Washington State and Santa Clara. For Seattle U, the loss ends a four-match unbeaten run and marks their first defeat in conference play this season. The Redhawks' strong first-half performance demonstrated their quality, despite ultimately falling short.
The match showcased both teams' resilience, with Gonzaga overcoming an early two-goal deficit and Seattle U threatening until the final whistle. The Bulldogs' ability to adjust their tactical approach and capitalize on key moments proved decisive in securing three valuable points.
Looking ahead, Gonzaga travels to Portland for a crucial conference matchup on October 31, while Seattle U returns home to host Oregon State on November 1, both teams seeking to build on their respective performances from this entertaining encounter.