MOSCOW, ID— Leahi Manthei scored a Division I-school record four goals as Seattle University women’s soccer rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win, 5-3, at Idaho on Monday. The win puts SU on a three-game win streak and marks the program’s first comeback from a two-goal deficit in Division I history.
“Once again, I am extremely proud of the team and their resiliency after going down 2-0,” said Coach Julie Woodward. “What I love about this team is everyone’s ability to put the team first. We had so many players contribute and make the most of their minutes.”
Idaho (2-3-1) scored in the 25th minute to take a 1-0 lead. The hosts made it 2-0 at 32:10, but Seattle U (3-2-0) was ready with a reply in short order. Manthei, who had entered the game after the Vandals’ first score, finished a Hannah Carrothers cross in the box at 33:16.
Just a few minutes later, Carrothers was brought down in the box, setting up a penalty kick. Holly Rothering beat the Idaho keeper with a hard shot into the left side of the net, tying the match in the 39th minute. The teams entered halftime even on the scoreboard.
Early in the second half, Manthei struck again. The Gig Harbor, Wash., native deflected a Stephanie Spiekerman free kick into the goal, giving the Redhawks a 3-2 advantage at 50:52.
Carrothers was a factor again as SU stretched its margin. At 59:25, Carrothers found Isabelle Butterfield, who touched the ball to Manthei for a header and a hat trick. Idaho answered with a goal to halve its deficit in the 67th minute. Manthei checked out of the contest at this point, but the freshman returned five minutes later, looking for insurance and history. Jennifer Plummer set up this goal, as Manthei scored to place her mark in the SU record books.
“It is quite clear that (she) had a very special game and was so fun to watch play,” said Woodward. “Hannah (Carrothers) was extremely impressive as well, continuing to get forward and make it hard for them to defend us.”
Manthei became just the third Redhawk to tally a hat trick in the Division I era. Stephanie Verdoia recorded two in her career and Natasha Howe pulled off the feat at Utah Valley last season. Nationally, Manthei is just the fifth player to score four goals in a game this season. Her eight-point showing also ties an SU Division I record, as Verdoia also scored eight points against Chicago State on Oct. 26, 2014.
Seattle U’s five goals are the most by the team since Oct. 9, 2015, when SU beat UTRGV, 5-0.
The Redhawks return home on Monday, Sept. 11, as Santa Clara visits Championship Field.
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