Sept. 17, 2004
STANFORD, Calif. - The 11th-ranked Santa Clara University women's soccer team shut out its second straight opponent, this time blanking 19th-ranked Yale 2-0 this evening to open play at the Stanford Nike Classic at New Maloney Field in Palo Alto. Senior Leslie Osborne converted a penalty kick in the 49th minute to improve the Broncos' record to 3-2-1. The Bulldogs were held to just three shots in their first loss of the season and are now 5-1-0 overall.
Santa Clara scored early in the second half, on a penalty kick converted by Osborne. Senior forward Megan Kakadelas missed her first start of the season, due to a nagging injury, but started the second half an made an immediate impact on the contest. Taking the ball down the left side of the field, she drew a foul in the box. Bulldog keeper Sarah Walker guessed right, but Osborne took it low and to the left for her team-leading fourth goal of the season.
Less than 10 minutes later, freshman Meagan Snell passed a ball down the left side to sophomore Tina Estrada, who dribbled into the box and pulled Walker to the near post. Estrada sent the ball across the goalmouth to an awaiting Bree Horvath, who tapped the ball in for a 2-0 Bronco lead.
The first half was back-and-forth, with each team taking three shots. All three Bronco attempts were on goal, by Osborne, Horvath and Estrada. Santa Clara held Yale shotless in the second half.
In the final 10 minutes, both Tiffany Roberts and Bonnie Bowman took attempts that just rolled wide of the left post to produce oohs and aahs from the crowd.
Bronco senior goalkeeper Alyssa Sobolik earned her second shut out of the season.
Santa Clara will conclude action at the Classic with a contest against Cal State Fullerton on Sunday at 11 a.m.