SEATTLE – Closing out a stretch of four-straight Pac 12 opponents to open the season, No. 13 Santa Clara women's soccer fell at Washington 2-1 Sunday afternoon. The Huskies used a pair of second half goals to pull off the upset.
The Broncos (2-2) dominated the first half and had the majority of the possession but could only capitalize once. Shots in the opening period were even at 4-4 because Santa Clara failed to take advantage of its opportunities.
"We feel like we let one slip away today," Santa Clara head coach Jerry Smith said. "We played a really good first half but I didn't think our finishing was very good overall. We had some nice opportunities in front of goal but we couldn't even get a shot off on some of them. The lesson we'll take away from this is that you have to put away your chances when you have them."
The second half was much more even with Washington (2-1) creating multiple dangerous chances early on. The Huskies were able to tie the game just minutes into the second period and scored the winner in the final minutes.
The decisive goal came in the 88th minute off the foot of Pascale Dumesnil. Dominique Bond-Flasza took a ball down the right side and put a beautiful cross into the box for Dumesnil who got enough of the shot despite falling down amid a pair of Bronco defenders.
"Credit to Washington who scored a really nice goal for the game-winner," Smith said. "If you let a good team hang around, they'll find a way to beat you and that's what happened today."
Santa Clara's goal came in the 18th minute off a long ball into Machaela George in the box. Her touch went to Jordan Jesolva who tapped it to Maddie Gonzalez. Gonzalez popped the ball into the air and back to Jesolva who went far post from just outside the left side of the six-yard box to make it 1-0 Broncos.
Washington tied the game in the 50th minute after some sloppy play by Santa Clara. Amanda Johnston took a through ball from just inside the right side of the box at the end line and sent it across the mouth of the goal to the head of Becca Schoales whose shot got tipped by Melissa Lowder but had enough behind it to sneak into the goal and make it 1-all.
Santa Clara returns home to face Marquette Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
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