SEATTLE, WA— (school release) Seattle University men’s soccer’s Hamza Haddadi (Shoreline, Wash.) slipped a slow roller past the UCLA keeper late in the first half and the Redhawks would play impeccable defense as they earned a 1-0 shutout vs. No. 25 UCLA in the NCAA Tournament Second Round. With the win and a Creighton win, they remain tied for most wins in the nation with the Bluejays (18).

The Redhawks, the 11-seed in this year’s tournament, advances to the Third Round for the first time in Division I history after defeating Creighton to earn a spot in the Second Round in 2013. This is also Seattle U’s first-ever win over UCLA after falling, 2-1, to the Bruins in Los Angeles in 2011.

“This is one of those games – we said it before the game and we said it at halftime – where everyone has to work on both sides of the ball and we had to defend from all areas,” said head coach Pete Fewing. “That’s a very good UCLA team who was in the Final Four last year so I give kudos to our guys for handling the pressure put on them. A win against a marquee program like this gives us confidence for sure but we’re not going to overlook any of our opponents. We’re excited to go to New York next weekend.”

Seattle U started the offensive attack early in the match with a dangerous chance from Sergio Rivas (Albuquerque, N.M.) off a Nathan Aune (Arlington, Wash.) throw-in.

Hamza Haddadi goal sequence / Wilson Tsoi /Redhawks Athletics

Haddadi scored what would be the game-winner in the 40th minute, his 10th of the season, colliding with Juan Cervantes, the UCLA keeper, and tapping the slow-roller just past Cervantes on a long ball from Nick Prasad (Surrey, B.C.).

One of UCLA’s best chances came in the 65th minute on back-to-back shots from Abu Danladi and Jordan Vale, the first of which Shane Haworth (Puyallup, Wash.) masterfully saved, while the second flew just over the goal.

In goal, Cervantes made three saves for the Bruins while Haworth made six saves for the Redhawks.

“I’m thrilled and grateful for all the fans that came out, and we appreciate the support,” Fewing concluded. “I would guarantee you that [the fans] helped us tonight, and that was the hope. I hope we gave them something to go home and be excited about, and I’d love to see that kind of crowd for every home game.”

The Redhawks (18-3-1) will travel to face No. 6 Syracuse, also the six-seed in the NCAA tournament, on Sunday, Nov. 29 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT in the Third Round. Stay tuned to GoSeattleU.com as well as Facebook (Seattle U Athletics), Twitter (@SeattleU_MSO; @su_athletics), Instagram (su_redhawks), and Snapchat (su_athletics) for all the latest on the team throughout the postseason.