Aug. 28, 2007
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SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The No. 8 Santa Clara women's soccer team will begin their 2007 schedule on Friday, Aug. 31, against San Jose State in the sixth annual Rivalry series. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
After finishing the 2006 season with a 5-1-1 record against West Coast Conference opponents, the Broncos brought home their ninth consecutive conference crown and earned a No. 1 seed in their 18th consecutive NCAA Tournament. Head coach Jerry Smith enters his 21st season at the helm of Broncos women's soccer and is joined associate head coach Gregg Murphy and assistant coaches Curtis McAlister and Devvyn Hawkins.
Leading SCU's lineup this season are Brittany Klein, Tina Estrada, Chioma Igwe and M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Watch List honoree Meagan Snell. Klein brings leadership and experience to her final season with the Broncos. An All-WCC midfielder, she netted five goals and had one assist during her junior season. Estrada will aim to make an impact in her final year on the Mission Campus, as she rejoins the squad after suffering a knee injury in 2006. As a sophomore and junior, Estrada was SCU scoring leader. Igwe played in 18 matches in midfield and scored two goals last season, while Snell led the Broncos last season in scoring and scored four game-winners.
Joining Santa Clara's storied women's soccer tradition are freshmen Jessie Baddley, Chelsea Bednarz, Maxine Goynes, Anessa Patton and Kendra Perry.
Follow The Game Online
Every Santa Clara home game and most road games are covered live on the Internet via www.SantaClaraBroncos.com. All home games will also feature a live audio broadcast as well.
Broncos Take Second In WCC Preseason Poll
Smith's women's soccer team takes the field this Friday ranked No. 2 in the WCC and is looking for its 10th conference title. After compiling a 5-1-1 record against WCC opponents in 2006, the Broncos brought home their ninth conference crown and earned a bid to their 18th consecutive NCAA Tournament.
Recent alum Marian Dalmy was named WCC Player of the Year while Smith received Coach of the Year honors. Dalmy, Amanda Poach, Snell and Lauren Zealear were named the All-WCC first team and Brittany Klein received second team honors. Jordan Angeli, Meagan McCray and Danielle Potts garnered honorable mention accolades and Kiki Bosio earned All-WCC first team and All-Freshman honors.
Snell Named To M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Watch List
All-WCC first team member Snell was named to the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Watch List this summer after having a striking junior campaign last season. She led the Broncos with 11 goals and had three assists on the season for a total of 25 points. Snell ranked second in the WCC last year in goals and fourth in points. She now has 17 goals and 11 assists for her career.
"Meagan was our scoring leader last year," said head coach Jerry Smith. "She will probably have a little extra fire to go out with a big senior year."
2007 Recruiting Class Ranked No. 6 In The Nation
The Broncos bring in the sixth ranked recruiting class in the nation, according to SoccerBuzz, headlined by All-American Baddley, who is ranked the No. 6 incoming freshman. Joining Baddley is fellow Parade All-American and 2007 All-East Bay Athletic League MVP Perry. Four-time All-Valley first team recipient Patton, Johansen High standout Goynes and the Corona del Sol single-game record holder for goals and points Bednarz.
Estrada Rejoins Broncos For Final Season
After missing what would have been her senior season due to a knee injury, forward Tina Estrada makes a triumphant return to the field this season for the Broncos.
As a sophomore and junior, Estrada led SCU in scoring. During her first three seasons on the Mission Campus, she has compiled 26 goals and 14 assists for 66 points. An All-WCC first team selection in 2005, she received three weekly honors as a junior and posted three multi-goal games.
Estrada ranks eighth and seventh, respectively, among the school leaders in postseason goals and points. She has scored five goals in the NCAA Tournament in her career, recording 13 points.
SCU Major Players Compete On National Level
Broncos' women's soccer players have become an integral part of various U.S. National teams' success on the international stage. From Santa Clara's most decorated soccer graduate, Brandi Chastain to recent alumni Danielle Slaton and Aly Wagner, Santa Clara standouts have made an impact on the field for the United States.
This summer, sophomore Amanda Poach and freshman Kiki Bosio played for the U-20 and U-21 national teams. Bosio scored two game-winners at the 2007 Nordic Cup against Norway and Sweden. Meanwhile at the 2007 Futbol Internacional Tournament in Mobile, Ala., Poach netted one of three penalty kicks in the 5-3 loss to the Canadian Olympic Development Team.
Three Former Broncos Standouts Named To 2007 U.S. Women's World Cup Squad
The 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup will mark the second straight World Cup with at least three Broncos on the U.S. roster.
Recently, 2007 graduate Marian Dalmy signed a deal with the senior national team, while Leslie Osborne ('05) and Wagner were also among the first 18 players named to the U.S. national team roster for the 2007 Women's World Cup, which will be held in China from Sept. 10-30.
In 2003, Kylie Bivens, Brandi Chastain and Danielle Slaton and Wagner were all apart of the U.S. team.
Scouting San Jose State
San Jose State returns to the field after compiling a 7-11-3 overall record last season. In Western Athletic Conference action, the Spartans went 4-2-1, advancing to the semifinals of the WAC Tournament and finishing third in the conference.
Head coach Dave Siracusa returns eight starters and welcomes six newcomers to his 2007 roster. WAC Offensive Player of the Year Nicole Irwin returns after a strong junior campaign posting eight goals and four assists. Jessica Scott and Marissa Dayton, second team All-WAC honorees, will also step out onto the field this season for the Spartans. Scott tallied six goals and four assists, while goalkeeper Dayton compiled 85 saves for a .746 saves percentage.
The Broncos and Spartans last met on Oct. 4, 2006 at Buck Shaw Stadium. SCU dominated San Jose State, 6-0, in their 11th overall meeting. The Broncos are undefeated in the series against the Spartans, posting an 11-0-0 record, while going 5-0 in the Rivalry series.
The Rivalry Series was created in 2002 as a way to bring attention to college sports in the South bay, provide a sense of pride between the alumni in the Bay Area and build school spirit among each institution's student body.
On Deck
The Broncos return to action on next weekend as they host the 2007 Santa Clara adidas Classic. SCU welcomes No. 2 Notre Dame on Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m., and No. 11 Virginia on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 1:30 p.m. PT.