Oct. 12, 2007
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Sophomore Katherine Reynolds scored her second goal of the season in the 92nd minute of Friday night's contest to help the fifth-ranked Broncos to a 3-2 triumph over Cal State Fullerton. With the victory, Santa Clara improved its overall record to 8-2-2, while Fullerton fell to 6-6-1 on the season.
"We earned a 2-0 lead and with that we took advantage of substitutes," said head coach Jerry Smith. "This was the first time we were afforded that opportunity all season, and it could have affected the outcome of the match, but it most definitely will make us a lot fresher for Sunday's contest against San Diego."
The Broncos and Titans entered the second half after a scoreless 45 minutes of play, before freshman Jessie Baddley received the ball midfield and sent a long pass to sophomore Kiki Bosio, who then went one-on-one with goalkeeper Shannon Simpson before sending a right-footed low shot into the net to put Santa Clara on the board, 1-0.
"Jessie sent the ball perfectly behind Fullerton's defense to Kiki and did a lot to set up that goal for us," said Smith. "Overall, she really played a great game for us tonight."
About 16 minutes later, senior Chioma Igwe netted her fifth career goal and first of the season to make the score, 2-0. The Broncos took a short corner kick that found Kendra Perry at the top of the box. Perry flicked the ball to Bosio, who then crossed it to Igwe for the goal.
However, Fullerton got on the board in the 69th minute as Tanya Slusser converted on a penalty kick after being held down in the box by Bronco goalkeeper Meagan McCray. The Titans then score the equalizer on a goal from 25 yards out to the upper left corner with only 1:43 remaining.
Although forced into overtime, the Broncos quickly set-up their game-winning sequence. A throw in by Bosio was miscleared right to the feet of Reynolds, who place her shot flawlessly from 20 yards out to the upper left corner to end the match.
The Broncos return to action on Sunday, Oct. 14 in their WCC season opener as Santa Clara will face No. 16 San Diego at Torero Stadium at 1 p.m. SCU will look to post a similar outcome to this weekend as it did during the 2003 season, when the Broncos tied Fullerton on the Friday before opening league play with a 3-0 shutout of San Diego on the road that Sunday.