Nov. 4, 2006
MORAGA, Calif. - The No. 4 Santa Clara women's soccer team made it a sweep Saturday afternoon, bringing home the program's ninth West Coast Conference title outright by virtue of the team's 2-1 win over Saint Mary's, and Portland's 0-0 tie at Loyola Marymount. The win also means that the Bronco men's and women's soccer team have swept the WCC soccer titles for the first time since the 2003 season.
Santa Clara concludes the regular season with a record of 15-4-1 overall and 5-1-1 in WCC play. As WCC champions, the Broncos earn the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament and will now wait until Monday's NCAA Selection Show to find out their draw in the dance. The Selection Show will be aired between 12-1 p.m. on ESPNNEWS and will be accompanied by a press conference with head coach Jerry Smith and selected players on campus in The Bronco, located inside the Benson Memorial Center.
Fresh off of being named the WCC's Player of the Week and Player of the Month for October, defender Marian Dalmy continued her recent tear with SCU's first goal of the afternoon. Hayley Siegel netted her first of the year, which ended up being the game-winner, while Julie Ryder made two saves in helping the Broncos to the title-clinching victory.
The Broncos jumped all over the Gaels early, outshooting them 8-0 in the first half, but didn't find the net until an SMC foul in the box resulted in Santa Clara being awarded a penalty kick. Dalmy stepped up and buried the chance in the left side of the net to give SCU the early 1-0 lead.
Things stayed that way until the 65th minute, as Siegel came in possession of a loose ball, found some room on the right side of the penalty area and bent a shot around Gael keeper Jennifer Zenovich for what proved to be the game-winner.
Saint Mary's put a brief scare into the match nine minutes later, as Stefani Rocco got off a laser from 30 yards out that found the upper-left corner of the net, halving the Bronco lead. But Santa Clara kept its cool, and the defense dug in and held off the Gaels until the horn sounded.
The Broncos outshot the Gaels 18-5 in the match.
