“I was just really proud of our team,” said head coach Julie Woodward. “We’re down a couple of players right now, due to injury, who contribute minutes and I just think a lot of players stepped up. I thought the team played well as a whole; I thought Liana [Heberer] came in and did a great job for us. I thought that Heather [Thomas] coming in and getting our first goal to tie the game was awesome. Shawna Anderson, who hadn’t seen many minutes recently, came in and gave us a spark. Overall, I’m just proud of all their efforts. We had to grind out a win; New Mexico State is not a bad team, and I’m happy to extend our season because of it.”

Seattle U fell behind early, as the Aggies’ Layla Todd, assisted by Miranda Valdez, scored the early goal in the 7^th minute.

In the 28^th minute, the Redhawks tied the score, 1-1, as Heather Thomas (Woodinville, Wash.) scored on assists by Monique Escalera (Riverside, Calif.) and Carlee Norquist (Boise, Idaho).

The score remained 1-1 into halftime and through most of the second half until less than five minutes left in regulation.

In the 86^th minute, Melissa Busque (St. Bruno, Quebec, Canada) was taken down in the box resulting in a penalty kick for Seattle U. Julia Besagno (Maple Valley, Wash.)  took the penalty kick, which was good, to put the Redhawks up, 2-1, which remained the final score at the buzzer.

“It was a good game for us,” said Besagno. “We were down early, which is always tough, but I think it showed a lot about our character that we fought through it and stuck with it. We fought hard and played together; as the game went on, we kept fighting and I think sticking in it and playing together was really what we needed. It was a good win and I’m proud of everyone.”

Overall, the Redhawks outshot the Aggies 20-10. Stephanie Verdoia (Salt Lake City, Utah) led SU with five shots, one on goal, while Elise Nordin and Samantha Sandoval led NMSU with two shots apiece.

Brittany Lott (Fort Collins, Colo.), recording her first career start in goal, made five saves in the complete game win. In goal for New Mexico State, Mikaela Bitner recorded six saves in 90 minutes of play.

Seattle University hosts Denver (13-1-4, 5-0-2 WAC) on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 12 p.m. for Senior Day at Championship Field. Busque, Norquist, Thomas, Chelsea Jennings (Tacoma, Wash.), Renee Vandermause (Madison, Wisc.), Liana Heberer (Oceanside, Calif.), and Taylor Bolibol (Woodinville, Wash.) will play their final home game in Seattle U uniform. The men’s soccer team will host New Mexico in their Senior Day game 30 minutes after the end of the women’s game, at approximately 2:30 p.m. Senior Day presentations for the women’s team will begin at approximately 11:45 a.m.