Sept. 10, 2004
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The sixth-ranked Santa Clara University women's soccer team fell to Rutgers 1-0 this evening at the Rutgers Classic at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J. The Broncos' record falls to 1-2-1 while the Scarlet Knights improve to 3-2-0.
The loss marked the Broncos' second in a row, which has only happened on two other occasions in the last four-plus seasons.
Santa Clara was held to just one shot in the first half, an attempt by freshman defender Jordan Angeli in the 35th minute that went high. Rutgers had three scoring opportunities in the first period, including an attempt by Carli Lloyd that just passed over the crossbar in the contest's opening minutes.
Rutgers took the lead with their first shot of the second period. Domenique Esposito scored in the 60th minute with a 25-yard attempt that found the upper left corner of the net. It marked her second goal of the season.
Santa Clara turned up the pressure in the match's final 30 minutes, nearly scoring the equalizer with less than eight minutes on the clock. A shot by senior forward Bree Horvath was deflected by Rutgers keeper Robyn Jones. The ball got past Jones and was rolling toward the goal when a Knight defender knocked the ball off the goal line to preserve the home team's lead.
Sophomore Tina Estrada posted the team's only other shot of the contest, in the 76th minute, but Jones stopped the attempt for her only save of the game.
Santa Clara remains at the Classic and will take on Rhode Island on Sunday. Match time is set for 9 a.m. Pacific and can be followed online statistically using Gametracker on SantaClaraBroncos.com.