Aug. 20, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The No. 22 Santa Clara women's soccer team will begin their 2008 season on Friday, Aug. 22, at San Jose State in the seventh annual Rivalry Series. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, Calif.
The Broncos who were nationally ranked in the top-25 all season, finished last season ranked No. 22 and in third place in the West Coast Conference with a 12-6-3 overall record and a 4-3-0 conference record. They earned their 19th consecutive NCAA Tournament berth under head coach Jerry Smith, who enters his 22nd season at SCU, associate head coach Gregg Murphy, and assistant coaches Curtis McAlister and Devvyn Hawkins.
Looking for their 10th conference title, Santa Clara will be lead by Meagan McCray, Katherine Reynolds, Maxine Goynes and M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Watch List honoree Kiki Bosio. All-WCC goalkeeper McCray enters her senior season with experience and leadership, as she started in all 21 contests last season for the Broncos. Reynolds, who earned All-WCC honors in her sophomore campaign will look keep SCU's backline strong at defender. In her first season, Goynes who played in 18 matches and was named to the All-WCC freshman team will be one of three captains leading the Broncos this season.
Joining Santa Clara this season is sophomore Lauren Anselmo, and freshmen Margueritte Aozasa, Bianca Henninger, Jenny LaPonte, Kathleen Matthew, Bridgett Miller and Lindsey Wicher.
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
The Broncos were picked to finish second in the 2008 West Coast Conference in the WCC preseason coaches poll. After coming off their 19th consecutive NCAA tournament berth, they finished the 2007 campaign with a third place ranking in the WCC with a 4-3-0 conference record.
Santa Clara will look to its returning and new players to top the WCC this season, with five players gone to graduation. Recent graduate Brittany Klein and Kiki Bosio were named to the All-WCC first team, and Tina Estrada, Chioma Igwe and Katherine Reynolds were All-WCC second team selections. Megan Snell earned All-WCC honorable mention, and Maxine Goynes and Kendra Perry were named to the All-WCC freshman team.
Bosio Named to M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Watch List
All-WCC first team and NSCAA All-West second team Kiki Bosio was named to the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Watch List after having a standout sophomore season. Bosio, who started in all 21 matches, lead Santa Clara with seven goals and six assists. The Broncos tri-captain has scored 10 goals and notched 14 assists in her first two seasons at Santa Clara.
"Kiki is a very deserving candidate, who has proven herself both collegiately and internationally," said head coach Jerry Smith. "She is one of the most talented dribblers in the country and this year she is taking on a new leadership role as one of our tri-captains."
The collegiate and international standout, Bosio also helped lead the US Under-23 National Team to the 2008 Nordic Cup, scoring one goal against England.
Former Bronco Standout Represents US in Olympics
Three-time All-American and 2002 graduate, Aly Wagner is currently competing in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The 2001 Honda Award honoree and West Coast Player of the Year, Wagner lead the Broncos to their first College Cup Championship in 2001 and was named College Cup MVP. In 2002 she earned the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy after leading Santa Clara back to the national title game and finishing as national runner-up.
Scouting San Jose State
San Jose State enters this season after finishing the 2007 season with a 4-15-2 overall record. Picked to finish sixth in the Western Athletic Conference, the Spartans went 2-5-0 and finished in seventh in conference last year.
First year head coach Jeff Leightman welcomes 12 newcomers to his roster, along with 13 returning players. Jennifer Guadagnolo returns for her senior season after scoring one goal and starting all 21 matches for the Spartans. Sophomore goalkeeper Nina Butera, who posted a 1.22 goals against average, returns for her second season after seeing action in 17 matches. The 2007 leading scorer, Jessica Scott, who scored six goals and notched one assist, and All-WAC second team Jackie Zabek, who scored two goals and had one assist, are gone due to graduation.
In their last meeting the Broncos kicked off the Rivalry Series with a 3-2 defeat over the Spartans at Buck Shaw Stadium. Santa Clara remained undefeated against San Jose State, owning the all-time record 12-0-0. 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
Santa Clara returns to action next week at the Notre Dame Tournament in South Bend, Ind. On Friday, Aug. 29 they will face No. 12 West Virginia at 2:00 p.m. PT and on Sunday, Aug. 31 they will take on No. 5 Notre Dame at 10:30 a.m. PT.