Nov. 2, 2001
SAN BRUNO, Calif. - Santa Clara University junior midfielder Aly Wagner was named the West Coast Conference's Women's Soccer Player of the Month for October after registering six goals and six assists to lead the league in both categories. She was also named the league's player of the month in September.
Last month, Wagner led Santa Clara to a No. 2 national ranking with wins over three top-seven opponents (No. 4 Stanford, No. 2 UCLA, No. 7 Saint Mary's). The Broncos went 7-1 for the month, outscoring opponents 29-3. Wagner started every match and had a hand in at least one goal for six of those eight contests with a 2.25 points per game average. Three of her goals were game-winners: a free kick against Stanford in overtime, against Fresno State and a free kick in the 89th minute to upset previously undefeated Saint Mary's. Just three days prior the victory over the Gaels, Wagner netted two goals and assisted on a third in the Broncos' 3-0 win over previously unbeaten UCLA. She posted 22 shots on goal for a .564 percentage and averaged 4.88 shots per game. Already a Hermann Trophy semifinalist, Wagner was named a Missouri Athletic Club Player of the Year finalist as well. She earned two WCC Player of the Week honors, two Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week honors and three recognitions on the Soccer America Elite Team of the Week.
The Broncos conclude league action this weekend with a highly-anticipated match against 10th-ranked Portland tonight at Buck Shaw Stadium at 7:30 p.m. The league title is still up for grabs as SCU, San Diego and Portland each only have one loss in conference play, but history is on Portland and Santa Clara's sides as they are the only two schools to ever bring home a WCC Championship. Santa Clara concludes the weekend that Sunday, hosting No. 27 San Diego for a 1 p.m. match at Buck Shaw.