Sept. 10, 2002
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
This Week
The Broncos will continue the regular season and a six-match road trip with two regional matches this weekend, against seventh-ranked California in Berkeley, and Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. The Bears lead the series against SCU 12-10-2, while the Broncos have never lost to the Mustangs in 11 tries, with a 9-0-2 mark. Last season, California was only one of two teams to hand the Broncos a loss during the National Championship season, a 2-1 defeat at home in the teams' first outing after Sept. 11. The Broncos opened the regular season last year against Cal Poly with a 3-0 victory.
Soccer Family Loses One of Its Own
(From the San Jose Mercury News, Sept. 9, 2002) Lark Chastain, the devoted soccer mom who raised a daughter to become an Olympic star, died in her sleep overnight Friday in her San Jose home. The cause of her death is unknown. She was 56.
Chastain, who owned and operated an employment agency in San Jose, was the mother of Brandi Chastain, midfielder and defender for the San Jose CyberRays who catapulted into fame during the 1999 Women's World Cup championship.
"Our team is like a big family, and Lark was like the ultimate soccer mom to all of us," said Marlene Bjornsrud, general manager of the CyberRays and a family friend.
Brandi Chastain learned of her mother's death while in Columbus, Ohio. She was there for an exhibition game of the U.S. Women's Soccer team against a team from Scotland. She decided to play in honor of her mother, Bjornsrud said.
A former flight attendant, Lark Chastain devoted much of her time to raising her two children, her close friends said. From her early years, Brandi was an inveterate sports enthusiast, Chastain told interviewers. She tried to steer her daughter toward ballet and tap dancing, but by age 10 Brandi was hooked on soccer, and her mother was her biggest supporter.
Besides her husband, Roger, and her daughter, Brandi, Chastain is survived by her son Chad, also of San Jose. A memorial service will be held at the Mission Church at 2 p.m. on Thursday.
Last Week: Broncos Earn Two Wins at Notre Dame Classic
Santa Clara earned its first win of the season-and its first-ever in South Bend-with a 4-0 victory over sixth-ranked Notre Dame on Friday, and followed with a 4-2 win over Clemson on Sunday. The matches were a part of the Notre Dame Classic, presented by Saint Andrews. The Broncos handed the Fighting Irish takes its worst home loss in program history. Additionally, Notre Dame had not been shut out on its home field since 1992.
Reserves Kristi Candau and Megan Kakadelas were the stars for the Broncos. Candau scored the Broncos' second and fourth goals of the night, while Kakadelas, a transfer making her Bronco debut, scored the game-winner in the 54th minute and assisted on Candau's first score. Redshirt freshman Erin Pearson made her collegiate appearance, starting in goal for the Broncos. She registered four saves on nine shots. Both teams registered five shots in a scoreless first half. The Fighting Irish took six corner kicks in the period. The second half of the game saw a more confident Bronco team, as Santa Clara out-shot Notre Dame 8-4 in the period.
Against Clemson, Aly Wagner posted her first goal of the 2002 season with a volley from the right side in the 35th minute. Veronica Zepeda starting the scoring in the 12th minute, when she beat a Clemson defender and dribbled toward the goal before shooting from six yards out. Candau added her third goal of the weekend by faking a Clemson defender at the top of the key and scoring just two minutes into the second period. Wagner closed out Bronco scoring with her second goal of the day, taking a goalie deflection off Candau's shot and putting the game away in the 68th minute. In the end, Santa Clara out-shot Clemson 19-9.
Candau, Kakadelas, Wagner and Zepeda were named to the All-Tournament Team for their performances.
Three Former Players Named to WUSA All-Star Squad
The Women's United Soccer Association unveiled the rosters for the teams that will compete in the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game in Portland, Ore., on Saturday, Sept. 21. Headlining the starters for the squads are two Santa Clara University alumni: for the South All-Stars is 2002 WUSA Defensive Player of the Year Danielle Slaton of the Carolina Courage, while the North will be led by 1999 World Cup standout Brandi Chastain. Additionally, 1999 SCU graduate Kylie Bivens was selected as a reserve for the South team.
These players' selections make Santa Clara University the only college in the nation to have a WUSA, MLS, NBA and MLB All-Star this year. Bronco alumni Joe Cannon of the San Jose Earthquakes, Steve Nash of the Dallas Mavericks, and Randy Winn of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays were selected to their respective all-star teams earlier this summer.
The match will be broadcast live nationally on PAX TV at 1 p.m. Pacific Time.
Wagner Moving Up WCC Charts
With two goals this past weekend, Aly Wagner has moved into a tie for ninth with SCU alumna Erin Martinez on the West Coast Conference career points list, at 104. Wagner has also broken into the WCC top 15 career goal scorers with 32, tying former Bronco Kathleen Celio. Wagner is also fifth on the league's list for career assists, with 40.
Live on the Internet
Santa Clara's entire home schedule returns to the Internet, as a live audio broadcast will be available for a second season on www.SantaClaraBroncos.com. Additionally, Buck Shaw contests can be followed online with a live statistical tracker, also located on Santa Clara's official athletic website. By logging on, fans will receive real-time updated statistics direct from the official scoring computer, allowing users to listen to the audio broadcast and keep up with the statistics simultaneously. Ram Fletcher returns as the voice of the Broncos with SCU men's soccer alumni Mark Wojciechowski adding color commentary.
In the Rankings
With two victories at the Notre Dame Classic, Santa Clara moved up in all four polls. Soccer Buzz Magazine, Soccer Times and the NSCAA/adidas polls ranked the Broncos third, while Soccer America Magazine lists SCU fourth. Ten Bronco opponents are ranked, including California, this weekend's opponent. The Broncos have already faced three ranked foes and will also take on Florida, Portland, UCLA, USC, Tennessee and Pepperdine.
Up Next: Broncos Close out Road Trip at Stanford Tournament
The Broncos will continue the regular season and a six-match road trip with two regional matches next weekend, against 15th-ranked California in Berkeley, and Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. The Bears lead the series against SCU 12-10-2, while the Broncos have never lost to the Mustangs in 11 tries, with a 9-0-2 mark. Last season, California was only one of two teams to hand the Broncos a loss during the National Championship season, a 2-1 defeat at home in the teams' first outing after Sept. 11. The Broncos opened the regular season last year against Cal Poly with a 3-0 victory.
Wagner #7 Replica Jersey T-Shirts On Sale
Exclusive Offer! Get your replica jersey/t-shirt of national player of the year Aly Wagner. This item will only be available at Buck Shaw Stadium and online at Santa ClaraBroncos.com this fall. Fans from as far east as New York, as far north as South Dakota and as far south as Georgia have already placed their orders. Limited quantities available. Available in Youth and Adult sizes. Order today!
Head Coach Jerry Smith
The number 13 has become a lucky number head coach Jerry Smith (CS Hayward '86), who won his first NCAA College Cup National Championship in his 13th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The 15-year year coach earned his sixth WCC Coach of the Year honor when he was named this year's co-recipient with Saint Mary's Paul Ratcliffe. Smith has compiled an overall record of 242-60-15 (.787) and earned his 50th WCC victory against Gonzaga in mid-October. Additionally, he has coached Santa Clara to 13 straight NCAA Tournament appearances and eight College Cups. The winningest coach in the program's history, Smith is fourth on the all-time NCAA coaching victory list. The Broncos have been ranked among the nation's Top 25 every season during Smith's coaching tenure and have finished among the Top 10 in each of the last 12 campaigns. In 1990, Santa Clara finished the season ranked first nationally. Additionally, he has coached 16 All-Americans, 11 U.S. National Team Players, eight Academic All-Americans and five WCC Freshmen of the Year, including 2001 selection Veronica Zepeda. He coached 1999 National Player of the Year Mandy Clemens.
Bronco Bios: Player of the Year Candidate Aly Wagner
As a Senior in 2002: A team captain... named a preseason All-American by Soccer Buzz and Soccer America magazines... has started all three contests... earned all-tournament team honors at the Notre Dame Classic... scored twice against Clemson... has moved into a tie for ninth with SCU alumna Erin Martinez on the West Coast Conference career points list, at 104... also broke into the top 15 career goal scorers with 32, tying former Bronco Kathleen Celio.... is also fifth on the league's list for career assists, with 40...
Bronco Bios: Preseason All-America Veronica Zepeda
As a Junior in 2002: Named a preseason All-American by Soccer Buzz Magazine... will be slowed by leg injuries during the early season... earned all-tournament team honors at the Notre Dame Classic... has started twice and seen action in all three contests... earned first goal of the season against Clemson...
Bronco Bios: Preseason All-America Devvyn Hawkins
As a Senior in 2002: A team captain... named a preseason All-American by Soccer America Magazine... has started all three contests... was called up to join the National Team, but sprained right ankle during practice on Monday, and declined National Team offer...
Bronco Bios: Micaela Esquivel
As a Freshman in 2002: Made first collegiate start against Stanford and has started all three contests... despite never playing fullback, started on the right side... earned first collegiate goal against Notre Dame, gathering a loose ball off a corner kick at the top of the arc and chipping a shot in...
Bronco Bios: Kristi Candau
As a Junior in 2002: A team captain... earned all-tournament team honors at the Notre Dame Classic... scored twice against the Fighting Irish and added the game-winning goal against Clemson... has two starts and has seen action in all three contests...
Bronco Bios: Leslie Osborne
As a Sophomore in 2002: Missed the match against Stanford while with the U.S. U19 National Team, winning the first-ever FIFA U19 World Championship in Canada... has started both matches since returning...
Bronco Bios: Jessica Ballweg
As a Sophomore in 2002: Missed the match against Stanford while with the U.S. U19 National Team, winning the first-ever FIFA U19 World Championship in Canada... has started both matches since returning...
Bronco Bios: Megan Kakadelas
As a Sophomore in 2002: Missed the match against Stanford while with the U.S. U19 National Team, winning the first-ever FIFA U19 World Championship in Canada... earned all-tournament team honors at the Notre Dame Classic... scored the game-winner in her Bronco debut against Notre Dame and assisted on Candau's first score... has seen action in both contests since joining the squad...