Oct. 7, 2003
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This Week
The Broncos will play Cal State Fullerton for the first time in program history before opening the West Coast Conference's 12th season. The Titans are currently 6-5-0. Santa Clara was voted one of the league's preseason favorites by the coaches during a summer poll (see page 3 for more information). SCU is 9-2-0 against the Toreros, and currently amid a six-match winning streak, including three straight shut outs. USD is 6-2-3 on the season and will face UCLA before the Broncos.
Osborne Climbing Career Charts
Junior Leslie Osborne is steadily climbing both the Santa Clara and West Coast Conference recordbooks. The midfielder from Menomonee Falls, Wis., currently ranks ninth on the SCU career assists list with 31, and is tied for 11th on the league all-time listing. Add in 27 career goals and Osborne has 85 points in her two-plus seasons, good for ninth on the Broncos' career points list.
Zepeda a "Player to Watch" for M.A.C. Hermann Trophy
Veronica Zepeda has been named to the "watch list" of players considered among the top candidates for the 2003 Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy, awarded to the top players in NCAA Division I soccer. The Riverside, Calif., native is a preseason All-America candidate, and opened the season against third-ranked UCLA with a goal. She currently leads the team with 10 points (3 goals, 4 assists).
The M.A.C.'s Hermann Trophy is college soccer's version of the Heisman Trophy. Past recipients include former Broncos Mandy Clemens and Aly Wagner. Clemens won both the Hermann Trophy and MAC Player of the Year awards in 1999, while Wagner became the honoree to have the distinction of receiving the newly-unified award.
A Look Ahead: Broncos Return Home vs. LMU, Pepperdine
The Broncos return home for two of their three final home matches of the regular season, hosting Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine in continuing West Coast Conference action. Santa Clara leads both series: 8-2-0 against the Lions and 7-2-0 against the Waves. Pepperdine is currently ranked 13th nationally and is the reigning league champions.
Upcoming Promotions
When the Broncos return to Buck Shaw Stadium October 17 and 19, fans will have much to celebrate. The Friday match against Loyola Marymount is High School Night, where teams with RSVPs will be admitted for free (call 408-554-4660 for reservation). On Sunday against Pepperdine, it's Bronco Kidz Day, with fun and festivities planned for our younger fans.
Among the Nation's Leaders
Santa Clara is currently ranked 27th in scoring offense, averaging 2.50 points per game, and 104th in goals-against average, at 1.184.
In the WCC Statistics
Santa Clara leads the league in points (83), goals (30), goals per game (2.5) and corner kicks (77), while ranking second in assists (23), assists per game (1.92) and shots (166). Individually, Leslie Osborne is ranked fifth in assists (4), and eighth in shots (28) and assists per game (0.33), and 10th in points (10) and shots per game (2.33). Marian Dalmy is ranked fifth in goals (5) and goals per game (0.45), and seventh in points (12) and points per game (1.09). Veronica Zepeda is ranked fifth in assists (4) and assists per game (0.40), ninth in points per game (1.00) and 10th in points (10).
Osborne, Zepeda Named Preseason All-America
Senior Veronica Zepeda and junior Leslie Osborne were named preseason All-Americans by Soccer America Magazine. Both team captains for the Broncos this season, Zepeda is a two-time All-America honoree, while Osborne is an All-WCC performer.
Fab Freshman Class
Santa Clara recruited the top class in the country, according to Soccer Buzz and Soccer America magazines. It marked the first time since 1998 that the Broncos have been honored with the top listing by Soccer Buzz. The class includes Marian Dalmy, Tina Estrada, Tiffany Roberts, Julie Ryder, Elyse Shelger and Lauren Zealear. The group has made an immediate impact for the Broncos, as five are regular starters.
Season/Match Tickets on Sale
Season and individual match tickets for Santa Clara University's nationally-recognized soccer teams are on sale through the Department of Athletics' official website www.SantaClaraBroncos.com, and the athletic ticket office at 408-554-4660, between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
In conjunction with its exclusive Internet partner, Official College Sports Network, the athletic department has developed an online ticket application that provides fans with the ability to purchase season tickets, family plans, individual matches or an all-sports pass via the official athletic website. A men's and women's soccer season ticket package that includes the 17 home matches is available for the adult price of $65 each, while a family plan provides a family of five admission to each game for the low price of $100. Youth (12 and under) and senior (over 65-years-old) season tickets are also available for $30. Single games are priced at $7 for adults, $5 for youths and seniors and $2 for non-Ruff Riders SCU students as well as members of Bronco Kidz. Single match team passes are also available for $35.
Four Former Broncos Compete at World Cup
Four former Santa Clara standouts represented the United States at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2003. U.S. Women's National Team head coach April Heinrichs named Kylie Bivens, Brandi Chastain, Danielle Slaton and Aly Wagner as four of the 20 players who played in their home country on women's soccer's grandest stage.
Bronco Bios: Preseason All-America Veronica Zepeda
As a Senior in 2003: A team captain... one of 16 national "Players to Watch" for M.A.C. Hermann Trophy... named a preseason All-America candidate by Soccer America... named to the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic All-Tournament Team... has started six contests and has seen action in 10 matches... sat out matches against Cal Poly and TCU to rest due to shin splints... plays mostly at forward, but has seen action in the midfield... has three goals and four assists on the season for 10 points... scored team's first goal of the season, against No. 3 UCLA in the first half... slanted a shot that split two Bruin defenders and bested the keeper... marked her 25th career goal... played the entire 110 minutes, a career high, after stress fractures in legs the past three seasons often prevented playing entire matches... team nicknamed her "Gramma" as body was sore during preseason because she wasn't used to two-a-day workouts... scored two goals and an assist against Pacific... notched two assists at the adidas Classic... was held out of first half of USC match to rest injury, but played in second half, sparking Bronco offense with a flurry to plays...
Bronco Bios: Preseason All-America Leslie Osborne
As a Junior in 2003: A team captain... named a preseason All-America candidate by Soccer America and Soccer Buzz magazines... named to the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic and SCU adidas Classic All-Tournament Teams... has started all 12 contests... has split time between the midfield and at forward.. has three goals and four assists for 10 points... had stitches on right temple for first two games after a collision in practice... earned an assist at San Jose State... posted a goal and two assists against Pacific, including the game-winner... posted four shots against Penn State, including one in overtime that almost scored... scored two goals and netted one assist against Georgia...
Bronco Bios: Marian Dalmy
As a Freshman in 2003: Named to the SCU adidas Classic All-Tournament Teams... has started 10 contests and seen action in 11 matches... did not play against Cal Poly after pulling leg muscle against USC... has split time between forward and midfield roles... has five goals and two assists for a team-leading 12 points... scored first collegiate goal at San Jose State in first-half action... added first assist in second period... scored against Pacific... had four shots on goal vs. the Tigers... tied match against Penn State with score in 76th minute... slipped a pass through three Georgia defenders to assist on Broncos' third goal... added a score against Notre Dame... scored game-winner at Stanford in the first half...
Bronco Bios: Julie Ryder
As a Freshman in 2003: Has started seven contests... earned first collegiate start at San Jose State... has 21 saves on the season... has allowed five goals in 646 minutes for a 0.70 GAA... is 5-1-1 on the season with three shut outs... earned first career shutout against California... missed matches at Virginia Classic due to groin strain... added a shut out against previously-undefeated Cal Poly... posted second straight shut out at Stanford...