SEATTLE – Freshman forward Kelcie Hedge scored her first career goal on a diving header in the 89th minute to give the Huskies a dramatic 1-0 victory over Michigan on Sunday night at Husky Soccer Field. The shutout was senior goalkeeper Megan Kufeld's 18th career clean sheet, tying her for most in program history with Husky legend Hope Solo.
“This was a really good challenge for us,” UW head coach Lesle Gallimore said. “They have some really dangerous players that gave us fits all night on the back line. There was a lot of energy in that second half – both teams knew there was something at stake and were going for it. This was a great early season win for us.”
Both teams had multiple chances in a back-and-forth second half, with each team coming dangerously close to finding the back of the net. With neither team able to break through, it looked as if the game would go into extra time, but sophomore defender Dominique Bond-Flasza dribbled down the right side and played a ball across the box that was just behind the Wolverine back line and in front of the keeper. Hedge did all she could to get on the end of the cross, diving and heading the ball past Michigan goalkeeper Megan Hinz.
Hedge's Game-Winning Goal
“You could feel it – we were just going to get another chance,” Gallimore said. “Dom put that ball up, and Kelcie Hedge showed some real courage to leave her feet and head it. We've been waiting for someone to do that.”
The late goal was the first Hedge's collegiate career. She scored in an exhibition match against Trinity Western earlier this season that did not count toward the official statistics
“It was a really hard fought battle, but we just kept pressing and fighting as a team,” Hedge said. “Dom played a perfect ball, and Rachel (Wheeler) and Kimby (Keever) each made great runs to put pressure on their back line. I was fortunate to get my head on the ball and find the back of the net. It was an amazing feeling. After battling all game, to get that goal, it was really a satisfying moment.”
The Wolverines outshot the Huskies 17 to 12 and forced Kufeld into eight saves on her way to her milestone shutout. It was her second shutout of the year and 18th of her career.
“That's a really cool milestone, I'm in really great company,” Kufeld said. “I couldn't have done it without so many great teammates and the philosophy we have here that the entire team on the whole field defends to the death.”
Megan Kufeld Post Game Interview
A key moment in preserving the shutout came with 20 minutes left, as Michigan lofted a corner into the box that eventually fell to defender Lulu Haider. She struck a volley perfectly that was on course for the upper right corner of the goal, but Kufeld got her left hand on it just in time to bat the shot away and keep the game scoreless, setting up Hedge's late-game heroics.
“We dodged a few bullets mostly because Megan was so outstanding,” Gallimore said. “Her hands were really clean and she was really confident coming out and claiming crosses. Megan had a couple of unbelievable saves to keep us in it.”
The win gives the Huskies four straight, as Washington swept the Husky Nike Invitational with wins over Illinois and Michigan.
“Those were two tough, physical, grinding games and to come out with two wins this weekend makes me so proud of this team,” Gallimore said. “This is one of the best weekends in my 22 years here.”
UW now holds a 4-1-0 record heading into next weekend's games against Cal State Northridge and UC Irvine at the Portland Invitational on Sep. 11 and 13, respectively.
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