BR-20 Seattle U soccer lost two of their top three scorers from last season's squad — a team that made it to the third round of the NCAA Tournament and finished the season with a respectable 18-4-1 overall record. Hamza Haddadi and Michael Roberts scored 22 points apiece last year, and they're both gone. But David Olsen returns to the pitch to lead the way after scoring a team-high 16 goals and one assist, with four game-winners.
Also back will be Kyle Bjornethun, Sergio Rivas, Sam Langston and Nathan Aune – all of whom started all 23 games last season for Seattle. Other than Haddadi and Roberts, the biggest loss was starting goalie Shane Haworth, who played all but 18 minutes between the posts and recorded an astounding 10 shutouts on the year.
Seattle U forward Hamza Haddadi (Photo by Wilson Tsoi/Seattle U Athletics)
Head Coach: Pete Fewing
2015 Finish: 18-4-1 (Lost to Syracuse in NCAA 3rd round, 3-1)
Key Returners: David Olsen (F); Kyle Bjornethun (D); Sergio Rivas (MF); Sam Langston (D); Nathan Aune (D)
Games to Watch: Aug. 28 at Akron; Sept. 30 vs. Utah Valley
Key Newcomers: Julian Avila – a two-time Club Player of the Year in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada who also played on the U-15 Canadian National Team; Noe Meza – won a club regional championship in 2015 in Seattle.
What Else? The Redhawks have taken the WAC title and an NCAA D1 Men's Soccer Tournament berth in two of the past three seasons and have a strong case as the favorite to repeat as league champs in 2016.
Speaking of Redhawks, here's a fun fact for you: the team's mascot, Rudy the Redhawk, was introduced in 2000 after the university decided to distance itself from the Native American moniker "Chieftains" which was used from 1938-2000.
