2006 Apr 30

Preseason scrimmage:
Seattle Sounders  2 - 0  Seattle University
Pop Keeney Stadium, Bothell, WA

Sounders: Chris Eylander; Noal Merl (Seyi Abolaji 45'), Jake Besagno, Zach Scott, Gabe Sturm; Kevin Sakuda, CJ Klaas (Jake Sagare 45'), Leighton O'Brien (Ben Somoza 45'), Santa Maria Rivera (Nate Boyden 62'); Cam Weaver, Roger Levesque (Jamal Sutton 45').

Seattle U: Nick Gargiulo; Hans Esterhuizen, Ian Walsh, Pete Mullenbach, Eric Forner; John Fishbaugher, Luis Gamez, Andy Giron, Elliot Fauske; Andrew Kreiter, Connor Chinn.

Goals:
5' SS - Weaver (Levesque)
8' SS - Weaver (Scott)

Match report from the Sounders:

The Seattle Sounders shut out the Seattle University Redhawks 2-0 at French Field in Kent, Wash. on two early goals by Sounders forward Cam Weaver. Tonight's match was the second time in two days the Sounders faced the Redhawks in exhibition play. The Sounders defense looked sharp, holding S.U. to under 10 shots throughout the match.

The Sounders jumped on the board early with two goals from Seattle University alum Cam Weaver. His first goal came in the fifth minute; up close Weaver finished a ball played toward the goal by Roger Levesque.

Weaver scored his second goal moments later, starting on a free kick 20 yards out by Midfielder Leighton O'Brien. From the left side, O'Brien played the ball to the far post where Defender Zach Scott headed the ball back across the face of the goal where Weaver directed the ball into the back of the net.

The Sounders defense consisting of Scott, Noal Merl, Gabe Sturm and Jake Besagno, limited S.U.'s trips down the offensive side of the field in the first half. S.U. got off just four shots, forcing Sounders keeper Chris Eylander to make only two saves.

The Sounders had a handful of scoring opportunities after the break, but the highlight for the Sounders in the second half was defense. Scott and Besagno were impenetrable in the center. Preserving the shutout, Eylander only needed to make three total saves.

In the 62nd minute, the crowd was silenced as Santa Maria Rivera pulled up injured making a run down the left sideline. As he hit the ground Rivera instantly grabbed his left hamstring. He'll be thoroughly evaluated Monday morning.

The Sounders face another weekend of back to back exhibition matches next weekend; the Sounders play in Mt. Vernon against the San Carlos All-Stars on Saturday, May 6th. Then on Sunday, May 7th the Sounders face MLS side Chivas USA at Qwest Field at 6 pm. Tickets for Chivas USA are available online at www.seattlesounders.net.