Esquivel Earns Women's Soccer Honors

Esquivel Earns Women's Soccer Honors

Oct. 8, 2003

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara University women's soccer team member Micaela Esquivel was named to the Soccer America Team of the Week and Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week for her performances this past weekend in leading the Broncos to two victories.

Esquivel, a sophomore from Albuquerque, N.M., had spent most of this season at her natural position in the midfield, but recently switched to left back , the position she played last year. The result was two shut-out wins at the Stanford Nike Invitational: 2-0 over the host Cardinal, and 1-0 over TCU.

Esquivel was part of a Bronco defense that stifled both opponents' offenses. Santa Clara allowed only 10 shots in two games, of which only four were on goal, and held opponents to only four corner kicks. In fact, Bronco keeper Alyssa Sobolik did not have to make a save in Sunday's game against TCU, as the defense ceded no shots on goal or corner kicks.

Against the Horned Frogs, Esquivel's attacking abilities were also present, as she played a great ball down the left side to Bonnie Bowman, who scored the game-winning goal.

Santa Clara remains on the road and will travel to Southern California for two matches this weekend. The Broncos will play Cal State Fullerton for the first time in program history Friday at 5 p.m., and then open the West Coast Conference's 12th season. Santa Clara was voted one of the league's preseason favorites by the coaches during a summer poll and will visit San Diego on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Broncos are 9-2-0 against the Toreros all-time, and are currently amid a six-match winning streak, including three straight shutouts.