WSOC | Gaels Record Double-Digit Shots Once Again; Fall to First-Place Seattle U 2-0

Saturday, October 31

Moraga, CA

1:00 PM

Saint Mary's College of California

10-3-5, 4-3-1

Seattle U

11-4-4, 5-1-2

Team	1	2	Final F
Seattle U	1	1	2
Saint Mary's (CA)	0	0	0

Highlights

Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner

10/31/2026 5:07:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score WSOC | Saint Mary's vs. Seattle U Highlights, 10-31-26

MORAGA, Calif. - The Saint Mary's women's soccer team fell to Seattle U 2-0 Saturday afternoon in a back-and-forth match between two top-five West Coast Conference foes. The Redhawks would take the lead with nine seconds to go in the first half, and capitalized again in the 58th minute to secure the two-goal victory and a share of first place at the moment in the WCC.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Redhawks would put pressure on the Gaels early on, forcing two quick saves from goalkeeper Kate Plachy in the opening 12 minutes of action. Just a minute later, forward Ashlyn Vaughn nearly found the back of the net on a long 30-yard strike heading for the top right corner, forcing a quality save from goalkeeper Kassidy Kirgan for the Gaels' first chance of the match. Though Plachy continued to slow down the prolific offense of Seattle U with two more game-saving stops in the half, the Redhawks would find the back of the net in the 45th minute off a long free kick thanks to a first collegiate goal by midfielder Sophie Hanson.

Then in the 58th minute, midfielder Leila Leano found the back of the net to put Seattle U up 2-0 and give the Redhawks some early second-half insurance. The Gaels would continue to fight, as Saint Mary's leading scorer Ashlyn Vaughn nearly curled in an effort just outside the box in the 67th minute that forced another save from Kirgan. The Gaels' best chance of the match came in the 87th minute, when a Brittany Holden cross found Vaughn, who nearly slotted a volley strike past Kirgan with the effort just sailing over the bar. The Redhawks would then see the match out for their fifth win of the conference season while clinching a WCC Tournament berth thanks to the three points.

Saint Mary's now sit at 13 points in the conference alone in fifth place and three points behind Santa Clara, who picked up a 4-0 victory over San Francisco this Saturday afternoon. The Gaels will now battle for a top-four spot this coming Saturday, as they take on 2025 WCC Champion Pepperdine, who are tied for first in the conference with 17 points. Santa Clara will host Portland on the final day of WCC regular season play as the Gaels will need three points and some help to find their way into the inaugural conference tournament.

GAME NOTES

Forward Ashlyn Vaughn led the Gaels with three shots and two shots on goal in the match, now ranking third in the conference with 63 shots this season.
Eight different Gaels recorded a shot in the match, with midfielders Elizabeth Vega and Maddie Lucas each recording a pair of shots for Saint Mary's.
Three Gael outfield players, Molly Silva, Anna Emperador, and Aleiyah Schexnayder, played all 90 minutes, with Silva recording her team-high tenth consecutive 90-minute match.
Kate Plachy recorded four saves in the match for the sixth time this season, bringing her collegiate total to 173 saves, now eighth all-time among Gael goalkeepers.

LOOKING AHEAD

Saint Mary's will be back in action next Saturday, November 7 at 1 p.m., as they take on the Pepperdine Waves in a crucial Senior Day matchup. The match can be streamed live on ESPN+, with tickets available for purchase HERE or at smcgaels.com/tickets.

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