Oct. 6, 2002
LOS ANGELES - The Santa Clara University women's soccer team fell to 18th-ranked USC 1-0 this afternoon at Soni McAlister Field in Los Angeles. With the defeat, the Broncos fall to 7-3-1 on the season. USC improves to 5-3-3.
Santa Clara saw its six-match unbeaten streak ended and is now 1-3 against Pac-10 competition this year.
The game was played to a scoreless first half, but both teams had strong opportunities. Santa Clara registered six shots to USC's four, with each goalkeeper posting three saves. The Broncos did control the ball for most of the period and kept the Women of Troy on the defensive.
USC's goal came in the 85th minute. Ashley Casas' shot was cleared away by a Bronco defender, unfortunately right to Trojan forward Ali Fennell, who was able to score with a low shot to the near side.
The Broncos posted 12 shots on the afternoon, with netminder Alyssa Sobolik notching four saves. The physical game saw 30 fouls, including 17 called on the Broncos. There were also 10 corner kicks through the 90 minutes, with SCU taking six of them.
The team played without Aly Wagner, who missed the contest due to a strained right hamstring.
Santa Clara returns home and will open up the West Coast Conference season against San Diego on Friday. The contest will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Buck Shaw Stadium. Last season, the Broncos clinched their fourth league title with a 2-0 win over the Toreros.
