Oct. 4, 2007
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SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The No. 2 Santa Clara women's soccer team returns to the road to take on local rivals No. 1 Stanford Friday night at Maloney Field in Stanford, Calif., and then faces second ranked UCLA on Sunday in Los Angeles, Calif. Kick off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
Last Week For Bronco Women's Soccer
SCU pushed its win streak to five games last Friday with a dominating 4-0 victory over Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Courtney Lewis scored the first goal of the night and just before the half, Tina Estrada put the Broncos up by two. In the second half, Lexi Orand netted her first goal of the season at the 59th minute and then Estrada stuck again with the fourth and final goal.
The Broncos then returned to Buck Shaw Stadium to host then-No. 22 California. With only two available subs for the game, Santa Clara faced its first loss of the season as Cal posted a 2-0 victory. The Broncos overall record stands at 7-1-1.
Sophomore Kiki Bosio leads Santa Clara in points as she has compiled 10 total points on three goals and four assists. She is currently tied for first with Orand in total assists and is in second in goals. Estrada and Brittany Klein are tied for second on the team in points and tied for first in goals with nine and four, respectively. Lewis is also tied for first in goals. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Meagan McCray has started all eight contests this season and has collected 42 saves, while posting three shutouts.
Broncos In The Polls
With six of the nine previously unbeaten Division I teams losing last weekend, there has been a shuffle among the nation's leaders across the polls. This week, Santa Clara found itself with its highest ranking of the week at No. 2 in the Soccer Buzz weekly top-25.
In Soccer America's poll, the Broncos dropped to No. 4. Meanwhile, in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Top 25, Santa Clara ranks fifth overall and second in the West region. The Broncos also check in at No. 5 in Soccer Times and TopDrawerSoccer.com's polls.
McCray And The Record Books
Junior goalkeeper McCray remains the lone member of the 2007 Santa Clara squad to rank in the Bronco record books. The Novato, Calif., native entered this season tied for second in the all-time goals-against average category. After the first month of play, the junior goalkeeper owns a 0.66 career average and now owns second place. McCray also recently entered the all-time shutouts list. She is tied for the No. 9 spot with a career total of 12.
McCray, who has compiled 42 saves, is just two saves shy of entering the single season list. Currently rounding out the top 10 is Alyssa Sobolik who posted 44 saves in 2002. Estrada is also two goals shy of joining the record books. The redshirt senior has netted 30 career goals and two more will tie her with Kathleen Celio (1997-00) and Brandi Chastain (1989-90) for the No. 10 spot.
Broncos On The National Stage
With the month of September away in the record books, Santa Clara's scoring offense has improved to No. 38 in the nation. The Broncos save percentage made a 15 spot jump from No. 44 to No. 29 in the nation this week, while their goals-against average has held steady at No. 46. Santa Clara also ranks 16th overall in won-loss-tied percentage and checks in at No. 64 in shutout percentage.
Individually, Lewis makes her national rankings debut at No. 88 in goals per game. Orand moves from No. 59 to No. 48 in assists per game, while Bosio enters the rankings at No. 80 in that same category. Goalkeeper McCray continues to climb up the list in saves percentage, moving from No. 45 to No. 39 this week, while dropping eight spots to No. 59 in goals-against average.
Santa Clara in WCC
SCU has held onto first place in the West Coast Conference since week one. The Broncos rank in the top five in seven categories this week. Santa Clara checks in at No. 2 in goals allowed and holds third place in points, goals, goals-against average, saves and shutouts. In assists, the Broncos rank fourth in the league, while claiming the No. 6 spot in shots.
Individually, McCray keeps her third place standing in both saves and is now tied for fourth in shutouts. She is also fifth in goals-against average. In assists, Orand and Bosio are tied for third in the WCC, while Bosio ranks fifth in points and ninth in shots per game. Estrada is tied for third in goals with Lewis and Klein, and also owns the No. 6 spot in shots per game and the No. 7 spot in points. Tied for Estrada at seventh place in points is Klein, while Lewis rounds out the top 10.
Soccer Alums Help USA To Bronze Medal At 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup
Former Santa Clara women's soccer standouts Marian Dalmy ('07), Leslie Osborne ('04) and Aly Wagner ('02) aided in the United States' 4-1 triumph over Norway Sunday in the third place match of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. With the win, the Americans brought home the bronze medal and became the only country to finish in the top three in all five Women's World Cup tournaments that have been contested.
Wagner earned her first start as she replaced midfielder Shannon Boxx, who was suspended due to a red card against Brazil. The attacking midfielder earned her first minutes of the tournament and put in an excellent performance while contributing to the USA's ball possession and the win. Wagner had been recovering from a groin injury that sidelined her for most of 2007.
Dalmy also saw action in her first-ever National team match. She replaced an injured Kate Markgraf at right back and was fantastic in both her defending and attacking in just her fourth ever cap. Osborne also started and saw action in all 90 minutes for the Americans. Earlier in Group B action, Osborne made her first World Cup start and helped the United States women's National team to a 2-0 victory over Sweden. Osborne was inserted into Ryan's 4-3-3 formation, replacing Shannon Boxx, and was chosen to mark Swedish star Victoria Svensson. The Menomonee Falls, Wis., native provided excellent coverage on Svensson, while strongly winning numerous head balls.
Bronco Blogging
All year long, Bronco fans can receive an inside look at the women's soccer team by checking in with Jordan Angeli's blog on SantaClaraBroncos.com.
Angeli will be checking each week to let fans know what is going on with the team and its players both on and off the field.
To read Angeli's blog along with other Bronco sports blogs, click on the link on the right side of the SantaClaraBroncos.com homepage.
Scouting Stanford
Santa Clara will head to Stanford who boasts a 10-1-0 overall record this season and a No. 1 national ranking by the NSCAA, Soccer Times, Soccer America and Soccer Buzz. In its last outing, the Cardinal defeated the Gaels of St. Mary's, 4-1. Directing Stanford's win was Christen Press with two goals, followed by Morgan Redman and Rachel Buehler with a goal each.
Leading Stanford this season with five goals is Shari Summers, followed by Redman with four. Redman has also posted two assists. Erica Holland and Kira Maker have spilt time in goal this season as both have seen action in five games. Holland leads the team with 16 saves, while Maker has posted 12 saves.
Santa Clara and Stanford last met on Sept. 30, 2006 at Buck Shaw Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Cardinal, 2-0. Meagan Snell and Amanda Poach scored the goals for SCU. In this Bay Area rivalry, Santa Clara leads the all-time record, 18-10-6.
Scouting UCLA
The Bruins enter the weekend with a 5-1-2 overall record and a No. 2 ranking by the NSCAA. UCLA has posted two shutouts and only allowed opponents to score seven goals, collectively. In their last game against Portland, the Bruins upset the then-No. 2 ranked Pilots with a 2-1 overtime victory. Kara Lang led the Bruins scoring both goals, one in regulation and one in double overtime. It was Lang's first collegiate game of the season, after playing for the Canadian National team in the Women's World Cup.
Leading the Bruins offense this season is Lauren Cheney with eight goals and three assist, while Lauren Wilmoth leads in assists with four. In goal, Valerie Henderson has posted 17 saves in eight games and had one shutout.
SCU leads the all-time record against UCLA, 5-2-1. The last time these two teams faced each other, the Broncos defeated the Bruins 3-0 at Buck Shaw Stadium on Sept. 22, 2006. Snell netted two goals in that contest, while Bosio chipped in with one.
On Deck
Santa Clara remains on the road next weekend as it faces Cal State Fullerton on Friday, Oct. 12 in its second to last non-conference contest of the season. Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m., at Titan Stadium. The Broncos then begin WCC action on Sunday, Oct. 14 against the Toreros of San Diego. The contest is slated for a 1 p.m., start at Torero Stadium in San Diego, Calif.