Broncos Win Conference Opener 1-0 Over San Diego

Broncos Win Conference Opener 1-0 Over San Diego

Check out photos from the match! (Credit Denis Concordel)

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – In the 2013 conference-opener, No. 18 Santa Clara women's soccer topped San Diego 1-0. The win puts the Broncos at 7-3-1 overall and 1-0-0 in West Coast Conference action while the Toreros are now 7-5-0 and 0-1-0 in conference play. 

Santa Clara returns to the field on Sat., Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. vs. No. 22 BYU at Buck Shaw.

"It's good to get off to a good start in conference and we're 1-0 in that part of the season," said Santa Clara head coach Jerry Smith. "San Diego is always a tough team and is tough to score against but I'm still disappointed we didn't get the second goal. I thought we created some good opportunities for the second goal. Anytime you can get away with those situations and win, you're happy about it. We're very happy we got a shutout tonight. Our goal scoring production isn't something we're worried about but we did talk about how to not give up so many goals. Today we gained a lot of confidence to post shutouts. You don't want to rely on that but it's nice to know you can shutout a good team."

The Broncos outshot the Toreros 22-9 and 8-6 in shots on goal. Julie Johnston scored the lone goal of the game on an assist from Sofia Huerta. Morgan Marlborough attempted a game-high eight shots, including three on goal while Johnston and Huerta had four shots each and two and one on goal, respectively. Andi Tostanoski made six saves in net.

San Diego had a great scoring opportunity in the eighth minute but Tostanoski made two beautiful saves. Mariah Butera got behind the defense but Tostanoski slid to make a save. After the ball was kicked around, Butera took another shot that went straight to Tostanoski to end the threat.

Johnston had a chance to give the Broncos the lead in the 15th minute when Sarah Jackson sent a ball into the box and to the feet of Johnston who only had the goalkeeper to beat. Johnston took a strong shot that only a leaping save from Michelle Craft was able to stop.

Santa Clara scored first in the 31st minute off the foot of Johnston. Huerta centered the ball to just in front of the goal and a running Johnston slid to knock the ball into the empty net and make the score 1-0.

Santa Clara outshot San Diego 12-7 and 5-4 in shots on goal in the first half. Marlborough led the way with four shots while Johnston had three and two on goal. Tostanoski picked up four saves.

San Diego appeared to tie the score in the 67th minute when a shot found the back of the net off of a corner kick but an offside call nullified the goal and kept the Broncos ahead 1-0.

In the 76th minute Marlborough hit the cross bar on a turn and shoot inside the box.

Huerta had a one-on-one with the goalkeeper in the 85th minute but her shot went wide to keep the score at 1-0.

Santa Clara was able to run out the clock and seal the conference win. 

Game Notes: Attendance was 659.