SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Despite falling behind early, Santa Clara women's soccer came back to top UC Irvine 2-1 Thursday night at Stevens Stadium.

Despite the early deficit, the Broncos (4-5-1) were able to even the score just before the half and put another in the net in the closing minutes of action.

Gudrun Arnardottir took a free kick in the 83rd minute and placed in high in the air and just outside the six-yard box. Kellie Peay went up and, with her back turned to the goal, got just enough to get the ball past the oncoming keeper for the game-winner.

Despite some early struggles, Santa Clara found its legs and put offensive pressure on the Anteaters (4-3-3) for most of the final 70 minutes. The Broncos put nine of their 16 shots on frame and just missed with several others.

They were rewarded for their efforts the first time in the 40th minute to make it a 1-1 game. Machaela George centered a ball to the six-yard box right to the head of Kelsey Turnbow who finished the chance.

Irvine gave Santa Clara a shock and took a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute. Grayson Galbraith slipped a pass to Noel Baham in the box and she hammered the chance into the back of the net.

NOTES

• Santa Clara is now 14-0-1 all-time against UC Irvine.
• There were seven yellow cards issued in the match. Four to the Broncos and three to the Anteaters.
• Santa Clara has now scored 17 goals in its first 10 matches. The Broncos didn't score their 17th goal until the 16th game last year.
• This was just the third time this year Santa Clara didn't score first.
• It was also the ninth game this season in which the Broncos have held a lead.

HIGHLIGHTS

HIGHLIGHTS | Headed goals by Kelsey Turnbow to tie it up and Kellie Peay to seal a 2-1 victory for the #SCUBroncos! #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/bqkZ0LjLah

— SCU Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) September 22, 2017

QUOTABLE

VIDEO | #SCUBroncos head coach @SCUJerrySmith discusses the teams 2-1 win over @UCIwsoc Thursday night. #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/IRtNhpVB3O

— SCU Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) September 22, 2017

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The Broncos conclude nonconference play Sunday at noon at Cal Poly.

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