Sept. 15, 2002
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Sophomore Megan Kakadelas scored her second game-winner of the season as the Santa Clara University women's soccer team defeated Cal Poly 1-0 this afternoon at Mustang Stadium in San Luis Obispo. The contest marked the first of the season for the Broncos against a non-ranked opponent.
With the win, the Broncos improve to 3-2 on the season, while the Mustangs fall to 3-3.
"We played a good, fired-up Cal Poly team," head coach Jerry Smith said. "A narrow field makes the game more physical and I think our players met the physical challenge of our opponent, unlike we did on Friday against Cal."
Sophomore Bree Horvath, playing with a cracked rib on her right side, dribbled down into the goal box but had the ball taken away by two Mustang defenders. Cal Poly couldn't control the steal, allowing Kakadelas a chance to grab the Broncos a lead, beating Mustang netminder Greta Shirdon with a low shot to the far side.
The Broncos had a chance to increase the lead when sophomore Leslie Osborne was tripped by Shirdon just eight yards out, handing Santa Clara a corner kick. However, Shirdon was able to punch away and then corral Osborne's attempt.
Senior All-America midfielder Aly Wagner did not play due to injury.
The Broncos will close out a six-match road trip next weekend while taking part in the Stanford Nike Invitational in Palo Alto. Santa Clara will take on 14th-ranked Florida on Friday, Sept. 20 and Oklahoma on Sunday, Sept. 22. Game times at Maloney Field are 5 p.m. and 11 a.m., respectively.