Oct. 7, 2007
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara women's soccer team fell 4-1 in a hard-fought battle against second-ranked UCLA Sunday afternoon at Drake Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. With the loss the Broncos drop to 7-2-2 overall, while the Bruins improve to 6-1-2 on the season.
"I'm very proud of the effort our athletes gave in today's game," said head coach Jerry Smith. "Those 13 players we used today were the same 13 we used on Friday and they gave everything they had on the field today. UCLA is a very good team and they just beat us to every ball. Yet, we look to getting healthier down the road and having another shot to play them in the NCAA Tournament when it is a little more of a leveled playing field."
Senior captain Brittany Klein scored the lone goal for the Broncos in the 21st minute of the contest. Klein received the ball from freshman Kendra Perry before chipping it just over UCLA goalkeeper Valerie Henderson's head. About seven minutes later, the Bruins tied the score, 1-1, on a long-distance shot from Lauren Cheney. Cheney struck again at the 32nd minute to give UCLA the one goal advantage before the half.
Coming back from the break, the Broncos were limited to just one shot on goal, while the Bruins continuously peppered junior goalkeeper Meagan McCray, giving her a busy second half. UCLA tacked on two more goals to take the 4-1 victory. Christina DiMartino netted the third goal for the Bruins in the 57th minute, while Caitlyn MacKechnie found the back of the net in the 75th minute.
The Broncos remain on the road next weekend as they face Cal State Fullerton in Friday, Oct. 12, in their second to last non-conference contest of the season. Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m., at Titan Stadium.