Broncos to Host a Pair of Pac-10 Opponents: No. 6 Stanford and Arizona

Broncos to Host a Pair of Pac-10 Opponents: No. 6 Stanford and Arizona

Oct. 2, 2008

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This Week for Bronco Women's Soccer
The Santa Clara women's soccer team returns home to host two Pac-10 teams. On Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. the Broncos will face off with No. 6 Stanford in the Silicon Valley Classico. Two days later, SCU will hit the field at 1 p.m. to square off with Arizona.

Last Week for Women's Soccer
The Broncos took on two ranked Pac-10 opponents last week, in then No. 2 UCLA and then No. 22 California. They hosted the Bruins of UCLA on Thursday, Sept. 25 in front of the national spotlight, as the game was aired live on Fox Soccer Channel as the NSCAA College Game of the Week. In a game where David met Goliath, the Santa Clara women's soccer team took on Goliath in the form of No. 2 UCLA, to a 0-0 double overtime draw. The Broncos played aggressively, adapted to all of the Bruins attacks and kept the second ranked team in the nation out of the box. Goal keeper Meagan McCray had a standout game posting four saves on the Southern California squad's 16 shots. Not only did McCray play in her second straight game that lasted 110 minutes, but also through getting kicked in the face by a UCLA player.

On Sunday, Sept. 28 the Broncos fell to then No. 22 California, 1-0, in double overtime. It was the fourth game in a row that SCU took into extra time. The Broncos went toe-to-toe with the Bears for much of the game, until Cal's Nikki Schrey scored the golden goal with 2:47 left to go in the second overtime period. Santa Clara kept the ranked Pac-10 opponent out of the box for two regulation and almost two overtime periods; while working to try to create offensive opportunities. McCray had another standout game in goal, playing after getting kicked in the face versus No. 2 UCLA three days prior. Cal came out firing in the game, posting 26 shots to SCU's three, but the Broncos defense kept composed throughout the game and worked to keep the Bears out of the net until the last minutes of the game.

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.

Bronco Blogs
Check out forward tri-captain Kiki Bosio's women's soccer blog. Bosio will keep fans updated as the season progresses. It can be found on the Santa Clara Broncos official website - www.SantaClaraBroncos.com.

Lewis Gets Back on the Field
Redshirt junior Courtney Lewis was able to get back into the lineup at midfield versus then No. 2 UCLA on Sept. 25. Lewis, who missed all of 2007 due to injury and has battled injury in her first two seasons at Santa Clara, made an immediate impact. Versus the Bruins she had three shots, one of which was on goal. She also subbed in at midfield against then No. 22 Cal on Sept. 28.

McCray Leads Broncos in Keeper Minutes
Senior goal keeper Meagan McCray continues to be a standout player for the Broncos. McCray, who has played 768:40 minutes this season, has helped lead Santa Clara to two shutout ties. The first was on Sept. 21 versus Yale, followed by keeping then No. 2 UCLA out of the goal through the double overtime match on Sept. 25. She has started in eight games this season for Santa Clara and posts 34 saves.

Aozasa and LaPonte Continue to Contribute Big in First Season
Freshmen Margueritte Aozasa and Jenny LaPonte have continued to have a significant role in the Santa Clara lineup. The rookie duo has each appeared in all 11 games this season. Aozasa has started all but one game at midfield, while LaPonte has taken starting duties in seven games. Head coach Jerry Smith has utilized LaPonte's versatility playing her at forward, midfield and defender.

Defense!
The Bronco defense has shutout three teams this season. They have taken opponents into four overtime periods this season. Led by tri-captain's Maxine Goynes and Katherine Reynolds, redshirt junior Dani Potts and redshirt sophomore Lindsey Johnson, they have shutout San Jose State, on Aug. 22 in the season opener, Yale on Sept. 21 and then No. 2 UCLA on Sept. 25. Also playing in the backline this season for SCU are Margueritte Aozasa, Jenny LaPonte, Kathleen Matthew and Lindsey Wicher.

Broncos Continue to Play Overtime Minutes
The Broncos have played in overtime periods in their last four matches. This season they have played overtime minutes versus Cal Poly, and double overtime minutes versus Yale, then No. 2 UCLA and then No. 22 Cal. SCU tied Yale, 0-0, on Sept. 21, and tied UCLA, 0-0, on Sept. 25. Keeper Meagan McCray earned both shutouts.

Scouting No. 6 Stanford
The No. 6 Cardinal of Stanford University travel to the South Bay to play the Broncos for the first time this season. Both Stanford and Santa Clara have participated in the Santa Clara/adidas Classic and Stanford Invitational; however neither team faced each in the respective tournaments. The Cardinal are undefeated this season, posting a 9-0-1 overall record.

Stanford comes into this weekend after getting their second straight shutout of the season. They defeated St. Mary's, 3-0, in a game where three different Cardinal scored. Lindsay Taylor, Christen Press and Kelley O'Hara each saw the back of the net, and O'Hara also had an assist in the game.

This season Stanford is led by Press, who has started all 10 games this season. She has scored seven goals and posted four assists. Assist leader O'Hara, who has notched five assists on the season, as also scored six goals. In goal, keeper Kira Maker has started in every game this season. She posts a .30 goals against average and has seven shutouts on the season.

Santa Clara leads the all-time series, 18-7-5, over Stanford. There is always a strong rivalry between the two Bay Area teams, as this season it will be the Silicon Valley Super Classico. In their last meeting the Broncos took the Cardinal to a double overtime, 0-0, draw at Stanford.

Scouting Arizona
The University of Arizona, 6-4-0, travels to California for the first time this season. The Wildcats are coming off two straight losses at home. On Sept. 28, they fell in overtime to UC Santa Barbara, 1-0. They posted six shots total on the Gauchos 18. Goal keeper Chelsea Mcintyre played the entire game and had 18 saves.

Two days prior the Cats suffered their first home loss to Long Beach State, 2-0. They were outshot five to the 49ers 12 shots.

The Broncos lead the all-time series versus Arizona, 1-0. In their last meeting in Arizona, Santa Clara shutout the Wildcats, 1-0.

On Deck
The Broncos close out non-conference play this weekend, before opening up WCC play at home. They will have a long week before hosting San Diego on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. at Buck Shaw Stadium. Five days later they will host St. Marys on Friday Oct. 17, at 7 p.m.