Oct. 12, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Junior Kiki Bosio got the Broncos on the board for the first time this season with her first half goal versus the No. 20 Toreros of the University of San Diego. Santa Clara's first half, 1-0, lead was not enough to stop the (9-3-2 overall, 1-0-0 conference) Toreros, as the Broncos fell, 2-1, to USD in their conference home opener.
Bosio was credited with the lone goal that came in the 23rd minute, as the tri-captain threw the ball in on a Broncos throw in. The ball then bounced out of the hands of USD's senior goal keeper Brittany Cameron into the net. It was the first goal for Santa Clara (3-9-2 overall, 0-1-0 conference) in six games.
"It has been a while since we have gotten a goal," described head coach Jerry Smith on a positive point in the game. "USD is a very good defensive team and we created a lot of good chances which I was happy about, but it is always disappointing to give up a win."
Smith was happy that SCU, who had extra days off going into this week's play stayed persistent on the ball. Players were being very aggressive and physical, working to create opportunities to get the ball to the back of the net. Bosio, who has been a solid force for the Broncos broke out of her 13-game scoring slump and had three shots in the game. The Broncos tallied seven shots on the day's play and junior Katherine Reynolds also had a strong day at the right wing in midfield. She ran up and down the line crossing balls into the box all afternoon keeping San Diego on their toes.
After going down, 1-0, in the first half, the Toreros came back firing. Two minutes into the second half USD's Jackie Zinke crossed a ball to Elissa Magracia just out of the box. Magracia, who was open, was able to cross the ball into the far post past the Broncos keeper Meagan McCray. Zinke was also credited for creating the second Torero score, as she passed the ball to hustling Amy Epsten, in a give-and-go sequence, and Epsten shot the ball to far post past a diving McCray.
While the Broncos keeper did give up two goals, she had another outstanding performance in the net for SCU. McCray has been a solid performer for the Broncos all season, as the lone starting senior. She had three saves on the day on San Diego's 10 shots.
"Meagan is tough minded and determined," Smith boasted about his senior keeper. "She knows how to deal with adversity and she is playing solidly for us game-in-and-game-out."
The Broncos resume WCC action on Friday, Oct. 17 when they take on Saint Mary's at 6 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 19 when they take on San Francisco at 1 p.m. Both games will be hosted at Buck Shaw Stadium and the Bronco men will play following the women's games on both days.