SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara women's soccer started its 2016 season on the right foot by topping No. 11 USC 3-2 in overtime and No. 18 Cal 1-0 in double overtime last week. The Broncos were the only team in the country to take down two teams in the preseason NSCAA poll and junior Kellie Peay was rewarded for her play by being named the Top Draw Soccer Player of the Week.
The wins saw Santa Clara make a big jump in the national polls. In the NSCAA coaches poll Santa Clara went from No. 21 to No. 13, the biggest jump of any team ranked both weeks. The Broncos went from No. 22 to No. 15 in the Top Drawer Soccer poll. After not being ranked in the first Soccer America poll, Santa Clara moved up to No. 8 in the country.
Peay, a team captain, was integral in anchoring the Broncos backline during both games.
The Santa Clara defense was able to hold off a strong start from Cal on Sunday and keep the game scoreless for 107 minutes before the Bronco offense came through with the game-winner.
On Friday Peay helped the defense stand strong after twice falling behind to USC, allowing Santa Clara to tie the game at 2-all in the 87th minute. She then came through with the game-winner in the 97th minute.
Even for a program with as much history as Santa Clara, a start to the season like this is special.
It was the first time Santa Clara has beaten a ranked team to start the season since a 1-0 win on Aug. 25, 2006 vs. No. 23 Wake Forest.
In addition, it marked the first time the Broncos had beaten two ranked teams to start the season since 1993. That season the Broncos took down No. 7 UConn 4-1 on Sept. 4 and No. 4 Hartford 2-0 on Sept. 6. Both games were played on the road.
It was also the first time Santa Clara has beaten ranked opponents in back-to-back games since 2009. The Broncos beat No. 5 Notre Dame 2-0 on Sept. 11 and No. 7 Purdue 3-1 on Sept. 13 at then-Buck Shaw Stadium.
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After Historic Opening Week, Women's Soccer Makes Big Jump in National Polls
Posted: Aug 23, 2016
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