SPOKANE, Wash. - Santa Clara women's soccer (11-1-5; 4-0-1 WCC) beat conference-rival Gonzaga (7-8-2; 0-4-2 WCC) by a score of 4-1 in Spokane, Wash. The Broncos took an early lead on a penalty kick and never looked back. Santa Clara dominated the game and only several sparkling saves from Gonzaga's goalkeeper kept the game from getting out of hand.

In the fourth minute the Bulldogs were called for a penalty inside the box that resulted in a Santa Clara penalty kick. Meleana Shim took the kick and scored her third goal of the season to give the Broncos a 1-0 lead right out of the gate.

Bridgett Miller scored her second goal of the season in the 23rd minute to extend the lead to 2-0. The goal was the second in as many games for Miller who has begun to see more playing time recently.

The Bulldogs kept fighting and broke through in the 26th minute to make the score 2-1. Cricket Harber took a free kick that she sent into the box where Emma Dolcetti flicked a header past Bronco All-American goalkeeper Bianca Henninger. The goal was the fifth of the season for Dolcetti.

Just before halftime, in the 42nd minute, Cate Parchinski scored her third goal of the season to extend the lead to 3-1. Sarah Jackson crossed the ball into the box where Parchinski was able to get a head on the ball and put it in the back of the net.

Just under six minutes out of halftime Santa Clara struck again with the last goal of the game to make the score 4-1. Allie Vernon was able to gain control of the ball in the box after a scramble and knocked it past the goalkeeper. The goal was the first for the junior Vernon since her freshman year. She won co-WCC Freshman of the Year in 2009 but sat out all of 2010 and the beginning of 2011 with injury.

The Broncos return home on Fri., Oct. 28 against No. 4 Pepperdine (12-0-4; 4-0-0 WCC) at 5 p.m. It will be the last home game of the regular season for Santa Clara and will serve as Senior Day for the graduating class. There will be a small ceremony before the game to honor Henninger, Miller, Margueritte Aozasa and Jenny LaPonte.