Balanced attack lifts Washington by Seattle

SEATTLE -- Fouth-ranked Washington put on an offensive clinic, creating numerous chances in a 4-1 win against No. 22 Seattle. The Dawgs dominated possession and were dangerous throughout winning the derby between cross-town rivals.

For the game, Washington took 22 shots to just six for Seattle. Of the 22 shots, 12 were on goal as four different Huskies found the back of the net.

The Dawgs were the more dangerous team straight from the kick, but were held scoreless until the 27th minute. Washington got on the board off a corner kick when James Moberg swung in a cross to the head of Cristian Roldan. Roldan won the header, sending it far post out of the reach of Redhawk goalkeeper Shane Haworth.

The goal was the first of Roldan’s sophomore season. It was a special night for the 2013 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year as he went head-to-head with his brother Alex, who plays for Seattle.

The Dawgs would take the one-goal lead to the half, despite outshooting the Redhawks 9-1 in the period and taking eight corners.

After the break, the Huskies kept up the pressure and broke though in the 60th minute on a goal from Moberg. The sequence started on the right wing as a pair of freshman combined to start the offense. Garrett Jackson played Henry Wingo who got free on the right wing. Wingo’s cross went straight through the top of the box as Roldan made a great dummy run to draw the defense. That left Moberg alone and he banged in his first goal of the year on his first touch.

The goal opened the floodgates for the Huskies as Josh Heard made it 3-0 just two minutes later. Heard’s was a great individual effort as he appeared to lose his dribble after being played by Darwin Jones. Instead, he bent a beautiful left-footed shot into the upper corner of the goal. The goal was Heard’s second of the young season, but also his fourth in three career games against Seattle.

Washington put the game away in the 68th minute when Jones finally got on the board. The Husky striker had been the most dangerous player on the field all game, but unable to finish a goal. That changed when Andy Thoma drove a cross from the left side that Jones redirected with his right foot.

It was Jones' third goal just two games into the season, but the senior could have had two or three more.

Seattle got on the board in the 73rd minute when Ibrahima Drame headed home a nice cross from Josh Greene. It was one of the only true chances of the night for the Redhawks who did not have another shot on goal.

Ryan Herman earned the win for the Dawgs as he splits time with Spencer Richey in the early going this season. Herman did not make a save, but did have an important punch of a corner that appeared to be curving into the goal.