SEATTLE—It would have been easy for the UC Riverside women's soccer team to lose their confidence after the first half of Friday's match vs. Seattle. The Highlanders had just allowed their first goal of the season and were trailing 1-0.

Instead, the team responded in resounding fashion, scoring two goals in the second half to beat the Redhawks 2-1 and stay a perfect 6-0 this season. It's the Highlanders best start since 2004.

"This win is huge for us," head coach Nat Gonzalez said. "We were thrown another curveball and responded well. The wet and slick conditions in the second half didn't faze us."

UCR was quick to tie the game in the second half. In the 52nd minute, senior Maddie Feist dribbled through the defense and scored from 15 yards out on an assist from Nerisse Bugho. It marked her fifth goal of the season, which leads the Big West Conference.

In the 72nd minute, after a turnover by the Redhawks, senior Darielle O'Brien had a breakaway and spun a shot past Redhawks goalie Ariana Romero to give the Highlanders a 2-1 lead. Feist assisted on the goal.

"The seniors are realizing that this is their time. I think you are seeing that to begin the year," said Gonzalez.

In one of the more unusual goals you will see, the Redhawks scored in the 11th minute when the ball was deflected and went over the head of goalie Annie Bailey. She did her best to try to punch the ball out before it crossed the line, but couldn't get there in time. Seattle midfielder Emily Zimmer was credited with the goal.