Nov. 1, 2006
BERKELEY, Calif. - Although the No. 4 Santa Clara women's soccer team will still play for at least a share of its ninth WCC title Saturday afternoon, the team's hopes for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament suffered a setback Wednesday afternoon as the Broncos dropped a 1-0 overtime decision to the No. 24 California Golden Bears at Edwards Stadium.
The Broncos (14-4-1) will look to rebound in Saturday's season finale, as they head to Moraga to battle the Saint Mary's Gaels. With a win Saturday, SCU can claim at least a share of the 2006 WCC title and the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
Despite outshooting the Golden Bears 10-6 Wednesday, the Broncos were unable to get the decisive tally through regulation. SCU started off hot, putting a pair of shots on frame early in the first half, but Cal keeper Gina Pellegrini was equal to the task, stopping the efforts from Brittany Klein and Meagan Snell.
In the 37th minute, a Kelly Giddings offering was headed towards the goal mouth, but a Cal defender was able to make the block to avert the goal, and the teams went to the half scoreless despite the Broncos holding a 7-1 edge in shots.
Jordan Angeli and Kiki Bosio put shots high in the second half in SCU's best chances, while goalkeeper Meagan McCray stopped the only Cal shot on frame in the second session.
But in the extra session, the Bears took the only three shots, and the third one was the charm. Nkechi Kanu fed a pass to Stephanie Weiger, who chipped a ball over McCray from 22 yards out for the golden goal.