Nov. 3, 2003
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara University women's soccer team member Kristi Candau was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week for her performances this past weekend in leading the Broncos to victory over third-ranked Portland and helping put Santa Clara in the driver's seat for its third league championship.
Candau is the second Bronco to earn the league's weekly honor this season, following junior midfielder Leslie Osborne's selection for October 20.
A forward from nearby Los Altos Hills, Candau made her final home match at Buck Shaw Stadium memorable, with her golden goal in double overtime snapping Portland's 12-match win streak. It was her fourth goal of the season.
Fellow senior Chardonnay Poole headed a pass to Candau, who then turned and took a left-footed shot. Her attempt skimmed off senior Veronica Zepeda's head, and sailed over Pilot keeper Cori Alexander's outstretched arms just inside the right post.
"I'm very happy for Kristi," SCU head coach Jerry Smith said. "As a senior playing her last home regular season game at Buck Shaw, you couldn't script the ending any better: she scored the golden goal against our biggest conference rival on Senior Day. It was very appropriate for one of our seniors--and best goal scorers--to be able to come through for us in that situation."
The Broncos (11-3-5, 5-0-1) will close the regular season in Spokane, Wash., this weekend, taking on Gonzaga. A victory will secure the team's third straight conference title. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday. Santa Clara has never lost to Gonzaga, with a 10-0-0 all-time series edge.