Nov. 4, 2001
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The third-ranked Santa Clara University women's soccer team won the program's fourth West Coast Conference title with its 10th shutout of the year, a 2-0 win over 18th-ranked San Diego this afternoon at Buck Shaw Stadium.
The Broncos add the 2001 league trophy to those earned in 1993, '98 and '99. Santa Clara finishes the conference season with a 6-1 mark. The Broncos' overall record now stands at 16-2. San Diego falls to 12-6 overall, 4-3 in the league.
"I think we put a solid effort out there, especially defensively," head coach Jerry Smith said. "It was a solid victory that also served as a conference championship. We couldn't be happier. It's not easy to get any year and this year was probably the toughest conference season we've ever had. Five of our teams are ranked in the top 20, three in the top 10, and to be in a league that is probably the best women's soccer conference in the country this year and win the championship is something we're very proud of."
The Broncos got on the scoreboard midway through the first period when sophomore defender Chardonnay Poole scored just seconds after entering the contest. She came in for freshman forward Leslie Osborne, who went down in the goalbox with a leg injury. Although Santa Clara did not receive a foul, the ball did go out of bounds on the Toreros, setting up a corner kick from junior midfielder Aly Wagner on the left side. Wagner earned an assist when her kick found Poole, who headed the ball in for her second goal of the season.
"Aly's been perfect on corners all year," Poole said. "It was a great ball and coach said today's game would be decided on set plays or corners. I didn't have a chance to warm up when I went in, but I just stayed a aggressive and went for the ball."
The Broncos scored again late in the period for the match's final margin. Sophomore forward Kristi Candau scored from the left side in the 42nd minute when her shot ricocheted off the right post and into the goal. Wagner received her second assist of the afternoon, good to lead the nation with her 17th this season.
On the day, Santa Clara outshot San Diego 12-3. The Toreros' first two shots of the game came in the first half, when Bronco goalkeeper Alyssa Sobolik stopped a shot by USD's Stephanie Barnier. It deflected back into play, but San Diego's Valeri Strocco's shot hit the right post.
Torero netminder Leila Duren finished the contest with three saves while Sobolik had one on the afternoon for her sixth shutout of the year.
The Broncos close out the home and regular seasons next Saturday when they host Colorado College. That contest is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m. at Buck Shaw Stadium. Santa Clara seniors Kerry Cathcart, Ynez Carrasco, Anna Kraus, Katie Sheppard and Danielle Slaton will be honored prior to kickoff.