Aug. 31, 2001
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Sophomore forward Veronica Zepeda registered two goals to lead fifth-ranked Santa Clara to a season-opening victory against Cal Poly tonight at Buck Shaw Stadium. The 3-0 victory marked the second straight year the Broncos have opened a schedule with a win over the Mustangs.
Santa Clara improves to 1-0, while Cal Poly falls to 0-1. The contest also marked the sixth straight season-opening win for the Broncos and 16th overall. Announced attendance was 1,388.
"We've only been together for two weeks and half our team are freshmen so your first college game is always a little nerve-racking, so we got that out of the way tonight," head coach Jerry Smith said. "We got a win, and hopefully we'll gain some confidence. At times we played really well, there was some good combination play. It was a good start for us."
Zepeda attacked early, posting her first goal in the sixth minute, assisted by freshman Taline Tahmassian, who was one of four Bronco newcomers to start their first collegiate game tonight. Zepeda's second goal came early in the second half, at the 49th minute off passes from Tahmassian and junior midfielder Aly Wagner.
Sandwiched in between Zepeda's two goals was one from freshman Bree Horvath in the 31st minute, assisted by Leslie Osborne.
The Broncos continue non-conference action on Sunday, with a 7:30 p.m. game at San Jose State's Spartan Stadium.