SANTA CLARA, Calif. – In front of over 2,000 hostile fans, No. 8 Santa Clara women's soccer fell to No. 12 Portland 3-1. The loss drops the Broncos to 13-4-1 overall and 7-1-0 in West Coast Conference action while Portland is now 15-2-1 overall and 7-1-0 in conference play.
The Broncos return to the field Sat., Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. at Gonzaga. A win for the Broncos would guarantee at least a share of the WCC title.
Santa Clara was outshot 14-11 and tied in shots on goal at 6-6. Morgan Marlborough scored the lone Bronco goal on a penalty kick. Julie Johnston and Sofia Huerta each had three shots and one on goal while Jordan Jesolva had two shots and one on goal. Andi Tostanoski had three saves.
Portland struck first in the 20th minute off of a corner kick. Allison Wetherington sent the corner into the box where Amanda Frisbie leaped up to head it past Tostanoski and into the goal to give the Pilots the 1-0 lead.
In the 29th minute Marlborough tied up the score on a penalty kick. Johnston was taken down in the box and Marlborough stepped up to take the shot. She put the ball low and to the right while the goalkeeper dove the other way. The goal tied the game at 1-1.
The Pilots retook the lead in the 71st minute on a nice set of passing in the box. Danica Evans passed a ball that was deflected by Micaela Capelle to the foot of Ellen Parker. Parker took a low shot to the left of the goal that hit the post and went in to make the score 2-1.
Portland put the game away in the 88th minute with a goal by Noelle LaPrevotte. Capelle passed to LaPrevotte who nailed a shot in the top of the goal from 10 yards out. The goal made the score 3-1, where the game would end.