WATCH | Postmatch Interviews with Cutler, Tostanoski

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – In the opening round of the NCAA tournament, Santa Clara women's soccer topped Long Beach State 1-0 on Saturday afternoon. The lone goal came near the end of the first half on a failed clear by the defense.

Grace Cutler led the Broncos (14-5-2) with the game-winning goal. Andi Tostanoski had to make just one save behind the strong Santa Clara defense.

The 49ers (12-7-3) were led by Mimi Rangel who took both of the team's shots and got one on goal. Ashton McKeown had six saves to keep the game close.

"We're always happy with a win and we're always happy advancing in the NCAA tournament," said Santa Clara head coach Jerry Smith. "Once again we were a tough defensive team and Grace [Cutler] scored a nice goal for us. We played a tough Long Beach State team that's used to going to the NCAA tournament. This was a grinder match and both teams played very well. I'm very proud of our team today. When you get to the NCAA tournament the only things that matters is if you advance and we were able to do that today."

Megan Crosson had two good chances early in the game but couldn't finish. She had a shot in the 11th minute that went just wide of the far post. In the 12th minute she came back with a nice shot but McKeown made the save.

Santa Clara broke through in the 43rd minute. After a bad clear was popped in the air, Cutler gathered the ball at her feet and knocked it past the diving goalkeeper and into the back of the net to give the Broncos the 1-0 lead.

The Broncos continued the offensive pressure to start the second half. Janae Gonzalez had her shot saved by McKeown in the 48th minute and Jordan Jesolva had the same outcome in the 53rd minute.

Next up the Broncos play Arizona in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Stanford on Thursday with the time to be announced. The Broncos and Wildcats played on Aug. 23 in Arizona with Santa Clara falling 2-1. Santa Clara is 1-2- all-time vs. Arizona.