Aug. 27, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The No. 12 Santa Clara women's soccer team travels to South Bend, Ind. for the Inn at Saint Mary's Soccer Classic hosted at Notre Dame. Competing in this weekends tournament are the Broncos, Loyola Marymount, West Virginia and Notre Dame.
On Friday, Aug. 29 the Broncos will face No. 10 West Virginia at 2 p.m. PT, followed by LMU versus No. 5 Notre Dame at 4:30 p.m. PT. Two days later, on Sunday, Aug. 31, the Mountaineers of West Virginia and the Lions of Loyola Marymount kick off at 8:00 a.m. PT. Following that match Santa Clara will take on the host team, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame at 10:30 a.m. PT.
Broncos Unbeaten Steak at 13 Versus San Jose State
SCU opened up the 2008 campaign with a 3-0 win over San Jose State on Friday, Aug. 22 at San Jose. The Broncos now are 13-0-0 versus the Spartans in the Rivarly Series. Freshman Jenny LaPonte scored her first goal in her first career game. LaPonte, who subbed in the first half, scored in less than four minutes into her Santa Clara debut. Scoring the first goal of the season was Lexi Orand, who scored in the 22nd minute off a Lindsey Johnson assist. Rounding out the scoring for the Broncos was Anessa Patton, who's first career goal came five minutes into the second half. Patton scored on a shot from Kiki Bosio that bounced off SJSU's goalkeeper.
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.
Scouting No. 10 West Virginia
West Virginia comes into this weekend's tournament with a 1-0-0 record. They are ranked No. 10 in the nation by Soccer America and are No. 15 by NSCAA. They Mountaineers shutout Townson, 3-0, in their season and home opener.
Scoring for West Virigina was Carolyn Blank, who is the Mountaineers Athlete of the Week, Megan Mischler and Chelsey Corroto. West Virginia had 20 shots to Townson's one shot.
Seniors Greer Barnes and Amanda Cicchini earned 2008 Preseason All-America selection honors by Soccer America.
This will be the first meeting between the Broncos and the Mountaineers.
Scouting No. 5 Notre Dame
Notre Dame hosts this weekend's tournament with a 2-1-0 overall record. The Fighting Irish are ranked No. 5 by Soccer America and No. 4 by NSCAA.
Notre Dame is coming off a 7-0 victory over Michigan at home. Seven different players posted goals, including Kerri Hanks and Erica Iantorono who both had a goal and assist a piece. Courtney Rosen notched two assists in the game as well.
Hanks and Brittany Block were named to the Soccer America 2008 Preseason All-America team.
In their last meeting, the then No. 3 Broncos dominated the then No. 2 Fighting Irish, 7-1, at the Santa Clara/adidas Classic. Kiki Bosio, Brittany Klein and Megan Snell each had two goals, and Courtney Lewis scored one goal.
LaPonte Scores in First Collegiate Game
Freshman Jenny LaPonte scored her first collegiate goal in 32nd minute of Santa Clara's 3-0 season opening win over San Jose State. LaPonte, who played 47 minutes, scored within four minutes of subbing in and making her Bronco debut.
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 the Broncos with seven goals and six assists.
The Broncos tri-captain was an All-WCC First Team, NSCAA All-West Second Team and Santa Clara adidas Classic All-Tournament Team honoree last season, as well as being named to the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Season. Bosio was also honored as the Soccer Buzz National Team of the Week and Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week on Sept. 10.
"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 Aly Wagner and 2002 graduate, is currently competing in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. After leading the Broncos to their first College Cup Championships in 2001, where she was the College Cup MVP and later named the West Coast Player of the Year, she claimed the Honda Award as the nation's top women's soccer player. In 2002 Wagner earned the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy after leading Santa Clara back to the national title game and finishing as national runner-up.